Kendra Duvall

For years, I believed that I was incapable of understanding anything I couldn't. In school I couldn't do simple tasks like counting change or spelling became a major challenge. Those constant struggles followed me outside of school too. I used to assume that everybody had the same difficulties as me and was sometimes even related. It would make me feel less alone.

Eventually learned that I had dyslexia now I finally understood why everything I did was a challenge for me and not for others. It eventually helped me understand myself better. It made me stop comparing myself to others, and start looking for more strategies to succeed. I started to do more things I needed to improve on. Dyslexia has taught me to always have patience. Ask for help even when you don't think you need it. Don't ever be embarrassed. There are others that struggle with the same things that I have struggled with.

But learning more about my dyslexia and not trying to hide it or get rid of it but trying to figure out what I can do better or fix. Even though I don’t have all the answers right now, if I get this far, nothing can stop me. I am capable. I will try to give myself more goals to choose happiness everyday when I get to that point. I'll know what I want. I faced fear, but I won’t let it define the person I am becoming.