When I was new to this journey, I had it in my head a whole list of objectives I wanted to find on the internet about dyslexia. I was looking for that one little bit of information or product or person that would be able to put this “big” thing called dyslexia in a neat and perfect package. Then I could say to my daughter who was in second grade at the time, “Okay, Jenny, here is the perfect answer and now Mom can make it all better.” I was so wrong. I was looking at things from a parent’s point of view who also has dyslexia. I wanted so badly to make it right, and I really mean easier, for my daughter. I didn’t want her to have the same experiences in school that I had as a child.

What I have realized now, ten years later, is that dyslexia is about people and valuing the child for who they are. Not perfect people with perfect solutions, not perfect products, perfect schools or the ideal presentation on dyslexia. It honestly just comes down to people. When I realized that everything changed for me as a parent and as someone who tutors children with the dyslexia profile.

Decoding Dyslexia is a way to bring people together that typically would have never met. The community is what will make it better, not perfect for the next person or the next generation but better. When you have dyslexia, and you are in school, you sometimes think that you are all alone. That can create hopelessness. But when you bring people together for the common good and share that experience with others that create HOPE.

Parents connecting with other parents from different parts of the state and even as far as the world, helping and supporting each other. Bringing up a child who struggles with dyslexia can have its fair share of challenges at times. It is tremendously helpful for me to be in contact with other parents. Being in touch with others allows me to exchange information that I have gained on my journey with others just starting out. It’s a place where we can share our anxieties, frustrations and most importantly our successes.

Decoding Dyslexia has cut down my time research to find information. When I first started out on this journey, there was no such thing as Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. What amazes me today is the fact that others are now so willing to share their knowledge. Teachers, lawyers, researchers, psychologists, school administrators and of course parents are connected within Decoding Dyslexia family. How beautiful for me to see and witness all sides involved coming together and realize that dyslexia affects more than just the person or child who has it. It indeed is a human experience.

There is no perfect package with all the answers for dyslexia. There are still many challenges that a person with dyslexia will meet in this literate world. We all know that remediation is the best thing you can do and that brings great relief to me. My family will still have struggles with dyslexia, but it’s nice to know that we are not alone. When we come together and share experiences, we come together with a shared intent to improve lives. Decoding Dyslexia can give others HOPE. Decoding Dyslexia has changed my outlook on dyslexia, and I hope I can do the same for other families. Let’s not stop here, we still have much work to get done for future generations. Remember dyslexia is not something that needs fixing, what needs fixing is our understanding, compassion and our willingness to help others.

As my family begins to look at colleges for my youngest daughter who wants to go into biology/zoology/chemistry, I'm reminded of a conversation when she was in third grade. We were leaving Disney World after a family trip. As we drove away with my girls buckled up in the back seat of the car, Jenny without prompting, said to her older sister, “Becky, do you know that it’s impossible not to touch something? Even if you have nothing in your hand, you are still touching something?” My husband and I quietly smiled at each other, and I thought to myself, “That’s an incredible mind at work.” Don’t ever think their dreams can’t come true because of dyslexia. They are many examples where their dreams do come true. I’m hoping that my daughter carries that same belief.

Have a wonderful day!