Grow through what you go through

Flowers have always been a passion of mine. I love the rainbow of colors and their beauty. One of the things that most impressed me about them is despite the various conditions they face, with the right amount of tender loving care, they bloom. Living in Western Pennsylvania the weather is unpredictable, and the spring season is no exception. One moment it is warm and sunny and the next it is cold and snowy. Despite the difficulties, the flowers will grow in their own time. Having a Learning Disability has been like having a flower growing in harsh conditions. Much like the flowers blooming in places that were not ideal, I also had to grow into what I went through.

I grew against all odds throughout the twelve years of public school. I struggled academically and socially. Academically my challenges were math, reading comprehension, visual perception, and fine motor skills. Socially it was difficult to make friends and I was bullied for having a disability. The small school district made it impossible to hide having one. Thankfully I was identified in kindergarten as a young seedling. I was given support services and accommodations that nourished me. I was given specialty instruction, and accommodations to help me learn. My parents were my sunshine and never gave up on me. Eventually, I began to do well in school and was in all regular ed classes except for math. I graduated and was determined to go on to college, despite people who did not think that I could handle the work.

During college, I once again had to blossom despite adversities. I struggled academically at college. There was also a stigma that surrounded disability accommodations. Many of my peers and professors thought that they gave people an unfair advantage. I decided not to use them and my grades plummeted even further. It was not until I used them that my grades improved. I fully bloomed when I graduated with a bachelor’s Degree despite being told it was unlikely that I would ever be able to do so.

Every time I see a flower, I marvel at its beauty and strength. To fully grow it must go through a process and many difficulties. Gazing upon a bloom causes me to reflect on the journey that I had to endure to be the person I am today. Many people see my accomplishments and think that I have overcome my disability. I will always have one, the same way a flower will always be a flower. I simply cannot change who I am and often my circumstances. I can choose how I will handle the difficulties. Much like the flower, I choose to thrive. I will not shrivel and wilt. Instead, I will blossom and grow in whatever I go through.