After years of frustration, I was diagnosed with apraxia in 3rd grade.  Why did my diagnosis seem delayed compared to other children?   Well, my parents and I were told I didn’t know how to read. It was hard to understand why I was constantly told I couldn’t read and put into below grade level classes because I loved to read.  I read constantly and found the work I was given to be too easy.  Finally, a teacher listened to my parents’ concerns and had me evaluated. The SPL at my school recommended an outside assessment and that is how I received my apraxia diagnosis.

Before my diagnosis, my parents really didn’t see the symptoms. My family always understood what I was trying to say. There was a time, when I was younger, my brother would sometimes speak for me if I was having a hard time expressing myself, but nobody really questioned it because it was our normal.

After my diagnosis, it took about another year for my 504 plan to get situated and for me to really start to receive services at school. After, it was decided I would no longer be assessed based on reading fluency and was instead assessed on comprehension.  I went from a 2nd grade reading level to a 6th grade reading level in a year.

Sadly, I had initially stopped reading for a while because I was told I couldn’t.  However, I felt validated when I was finally allowed to be in the class that I was meant to be in. It also helped rekindle my love for reading.

I started raising awareness about apraxia and learning about it more myself through pageantry – when my interviews began to focus on my experience with apraxia rather than the content in my paperwork.  This led me to starting my current platform Overcoming Adversity: Shining a Light On Invisible Disabilities.  One of my proudest accomplishments is having the opportunity to share my story and information about this platform at the Miss Washington Scholarship Competition!

Some advice I would love to share:

• The adversity we are born with does not define the life we can have. Other people will try to limit us, so never limit yourself more than you have to. We are capable of amazing things.
• Be patient and accommodating. Just because we are struggling with things you cannot see does not mean our struggles are not valid. And even though we may have a hard time expressing our ideas doesn’t mean our ideas aren’t valid.

Be inspired by more stories today and learn about how you can Give Hope!

Visit, FIND HOPE, GIVE HOPE