My disabilities
2017
I was officially diagnosed with dyslexia when I was in 2nd grade, though my mom said she knew since I was 2 due to my delayed speech development. Since then I've been in and out of tests to discover my other learning disabilities, auditory processing and ADHD. I’ve also been in and out of different schools to find one that could “fit my needs”-- totaling about 10 different schools. My learning disabilities are not something I would flaunt. When I went to a new school I had to remind my teachers of them. Most educators would be completely understanding but you would be surprised by how many teachers would have an issue with the accommodations on my IEP (Individualized Education Program) and deny me them because they did not believe my need for them, hence it not being something that I would like or want people knowing at the time. Once people know about them, I feel like I get treated differently. While in classrooms, people would watch me, trying to find a visual sign of my learning disabilities-- which they won’t. But if you look at the results of all my testing it would be very clear. Having an IEP allows me to be on the same playing field as my peers since I have to work twice as hard to get the same work done. For perspective, when I entered 7th grade I had a 4th grade reading level.
On top of all of my learning disabilities, I have anxiety and depression which only makes things more difficult. As I have gotten older I’ve gotten more comfortable with them and want to share my experience. Since not many people are talking about the actual experience of having mental health issues and not seeing physical evidence of a disability. I wanted my photos to show my reality of having them, how I see having them. I wanted my photos to feel almost uncomfortable to replicate how uncomfortable it can be to advocate for myself in a world where people still do not take them as seriously as they should.
On top of all of my learning disabilities, I have anxiety and depression which only makes things more difficult. As I have gotten older I’ve gotten more comfortable with them and want to share my experience. Since not many people are talking about the actual experience of having mental health issues and not seeing physical evidence of a disability. I wanted my photos to show my reality of having them, how I see having them. I wanted my photos to feel almost uncomfortable to replicate how uncomfortable it can be to advocate for myself in a world where people still do not take them as seriously as they should.
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