Ashley's Story
In her own words
I
am a dyslexic. I'm not the common dyslexic. I don't read words backwards or
spell anything backwards. Mine is auditory. When I listen to a lecture,
directions, or someone speaking to me, I switch what they say. That is, I flip
what I've heard and turn it into something else. I found out when I was 17 that
I was dyslexic. I had always been a bit different from others. I was shy,
quiet, and kept to myself. I didn't have many friends. I never felt that anyone
understood me, or that I truly understood others. I felt very different. I
always attributed it to my being raised as an only child and growing up around
adults than with other children. I didn't like math or science that much. I
liked history and English, etc..., but I excelled in art. From an early age,
art came easily to me. I was a good student, had good grades, worked hard, and
studied. But in my junior year, I was having difficulties in all my classes. I
was basically failing, and I didn't know why. I was trying by asking questions,
paying attention the best I could in class, and doing whatever I could to
understand the curriculum. My relationship with my parents was becoming a bit
strained. We couldn't get along; we were always fighting. I lost what I had of
friends. Life was screwed up. Things had to change.
My parents decided to get me tested. That's when I discovered I had what they
call Auditory Dyslexia. I interpret in my own mind what someone says. I
continued through high school with help from teachers and special testing
privileges. I graduated in the top 35% of my class. I went on to college, and
it got harder. I was struggling in classes where I sat and listened to teachers
lecture. I was having a tough time. In my second semester, I failed a majority
of my classes. I continued to work hard to keep myself in good academic
standing with the university. It took a lot of effort and time, but I got
myself out of academic probation.
In my 3rd year of college, my mother discovered DORE through an acquaintance and
looked into it for me. I began in the spring of 2004. Immediately, my parents
and friends noticed a difference in me. I wasn't struggling in school and my
ability to communicate with others and not always asked to repeat myself
diminished. I always had to explain what I was saying over and over until
someone finally understood. My social life increased, and I made more friends
and still maintain many of them to this day. I wasn't as shy or introverted. I
became more outgoing. My relationship with my parents improved greatly, too. My
mother and I could finally have a conversation without one of us getting mad at
the other for lack of understanding. My mom stopped getting annoyed with me
when I zoned out on her or didn't interpret directions or instructions from her
either. I could sit in a class and pay attention without daydreaming. School
was becoming easier. I could finish assignments. My personality had changed. It
felt wonderful being able to understand, communicate, and get along with
people. It was amazing.
DORE has helped me socially, academically and personally. My life has improved
for the better. The exercises are fun and entertaining. People around me have
seen a complete change in me for the greater. I thank DORE for their help in my
ability to improve my life and heal my dyslexia.