My Amazing Mind

A piece for all those wild, wonderful, creative folks who have taught me about the powers of dyslexia.

I’ve always known that my mind was special.

For all of my life, I’ve been able to solve puzzles that are puzzling for most people.

I create whole worlds with my imagination and can remember stories I’ve heard only once.

Often, I have ideas that other people never even consider. Thinking outside of the box comes easily to me.

I learn very quickly just by using my hands. I’m smart and artistic. I care a lot about others.

But my amazing mind can be like a treasure chest that not everyone knows how to open.

There are times when I feel very quiet like a whisper, but people want me to be loud.

At other times, I have as much energy as a lightning bolt, but people want me to sit still.

Inside my special brain, reading can be frustrating because letters and numbers dance around the pages like they’re at a party.

Being in front of people can be scary too when I can’t remember the word I’m wanting to use in a sentence.

And homework is often stressful! I get upset because it can take so long and make my body hurt.

Sometimes, I’m really good at not letting people see that I’m struggling. Other times, I cry because I wonder if things will always be this hard.

But I don’t stay sad for long, because I’m good at problem solving! And I know that with a little creativity, we can unlock anything together.

For instance, look at this pencil. You may think it’s only for paper, but if I make it into a wand, it can be used to draw giant letters into the air! And this helps me remember them.

I can also learn to write words by running them out in the grass or by making the into a game of hopscotch. Moving my body help things make sense to my mind.

And these headphones? You may think they’re just for music, but when I wear them, it’s like I’m in a cave! They help me focus when I’m working on something important, because it’s like I’m hiding from all the distractions around me.

You may think that writing is the only way to show what you’ve learned, but not in my world! If there’s ever a chance to share through storytelling or drawing, I take it. Being artistic makes me feel smart and brave.

Having lots of time to do my schoolwork let’s me know that I can take breaks and not get so frustrated.

Using my hands in any project makes it easier too, so adding blocks or pipe-cleaners in a lesson is never a bad idea.

And if I want to remember something? I sing about it! Rhymes and songs are great for my memory, and they’re a lot of fun too.

Knowing things like these is like having the keys to unlock all of my incredible gifts! And treasures like mine should never stay hidden.

Learning more about my amazing mind has helped me see that there are so many different ways that people can be smart and creative. And there are so many different gifts to unlock inside each of us.

Who knows what we’re open when we work together!