Reading Challenge

Literacy is near and dear to my heart. I have a learning disability. I’m dyslexic. Many people think of dyslexia as the transposing of words or seeing letters backwards, which makes it difficult for children to learn how to read. That’s a good start, but only part of dyslexia. Dyslexia alters the way your brain processes the written word (or numbers. Don’t get me started on that) making it more difficult for people with this to comprehend what they are seeing on the page—or these days, screen.

I didn’t start learning to read until I was in forth grade when my all time favorite teacher, Mrs. Henderson, took the time—and students’ class time—to teach me properly. Where were my parents, you ask? Those of you who attend the Romance Slam Jam know we are a close family. Well, my parents had been told that my dyslexia prevented me from learning how to read. They didn’t listen. They taught me at home using the books my parents had read to us as long as I can remember. Can you figure out what happened?

My parents didn’t discover I couldn’t read until I was in forth grade because I knew the books we had at home by heart. I thought I was reading, and so did my parents. The school system had failed me because they decided I couldn’t learn to read so didn’t even allow me to attend the reading classes. Instead, I was sent to “special” instruction—which they told my parents would be catered to my needs when what actually happened was my being sat in the hallway with a tape recorder while the other students did their reading lessons. The school just passed me from grade to grade.

I eventually learned to read and loved it. The only places I was allowed to go alone were the library and grandmas. I couldn’t wait for the weekend to get new books. Ahhh the good old days. Fast forward to when I was in the military. I was a preventive medicine tech in the MEDDAC unit (the hospital) on Ft. Hood, Texas. Which used to be the largest military post in the free world. I don’t know if that’s true anymore and still haven’t figure out what the free world is. LOL. Anywhooo, I used to get sooo annoyed when the troopies would come in from the field (war games) and their commanders would literally have them painting rocks. Each time they returned, they’d paint the rocks a different color. Many times alternating between two colors. Just stupid.

Mind you, many of these troopies couldn’t read or write much more than their names. I spoke with my commander about it and asked if we could start a literacy program for them. He was honest and said their commanders didn’t want them to become literate. Literate people ask too many questions. You see the lesson in that folks? Moving right along.

When I graduated from college, I volunteered for an adult literacy program. I loved that program, but one day the director annoyed the heck out of me when she allowed these words to come from her mouth “There’s no way you are dyslexic.” Well, it didn’t annoy me for long. I quickly educated this head of a literacy program who should know about dyslexia. I know she thought she was paying a compliment, but I took it as an insult. Kind of like if you say, “You’re pretty for a black girl.” Moving right along.

Thousands of read books later, I still love reading. A few days ago, someone insinuated that because I am a published author, I can’t be considered a reader anymore. I was completely offended. Ey Wade, one of my Facebook buddies, expressed my feelings best when she said: It’s the same as saying, “you’re no longer an eater because you’re a chef.”

Sooo, what was this long rambling post and the videos about? Umm, I can’t explain the rambling. This is my personal blog, and I just write freely—aka rambling. There’s no telling what you’ll get. The videos are part of a reading challenge started by Kim GotBooks! Knight. For the challenge, you record yourself reading a portion of a one of your favorite books, then post the video and challenge four others to do the same thing. What a cool way to showcase literacy and see some great books. If you haven’t taken part in the challenge, go for it!

I’d like to thank Krystol, Cheris and J’son for allowing me to post their contributions to the challenge and Edwina for challenging me. This was fun.

Have a great day and be sure to use the “Share” buttons.

Dee