From Challenge to Champion

As we walked back into her original school, the air felt thick with nostalgia and a hint of apprehension. After a transformative year at a specialized boarding school, my daughter and I were stepping back into familiar territory that now felt surprisingly foreign. The past year had been a whirlwind of growth and learning, where she had lived independently (with some supervision) and experienced a college-like environment, complete with dorms, lockers, homerooms and a cafeteria. 

After a year’s hiatus at a demonstration school for learning disabilities, she successfully navigated dyslexia, ADHD, working memory challenges, CAP and acute amplified hearing with newfound independence. She became competent in cooking her meals and balancing a rigorous routine, she learned self-discipline and perseverance. Back in her old school, it feels like a step backward as her peers still have a year to realize the new anxieties of high school, like navigating lockers and schedules; she has already mastered these and more. True to form, we look for new opportunities with this unexpected and premature return to her home school.

In Canada, 10-15% of children have learning disabilities, but not all schools are equipped to support them. My daughter, with her practical experience in specialized learning strategies, sometimes has more experience with the techniques than her teachers. This unique position offers an opportunity. She could lead and mentor peers facing similar challenges, sharing her learned strategies. Schools can implement supports like peer mentoring programs, where students with similar experiences support each other, fostering a community of understanding and mutual growth. By integrating these supports, schools can create a more inclusive environment that recognizes and values the strengths of all students.

The moral of our story is that growth isn’t linear. My daughter’s journey has been about more than academics; it’s about resilience and turning challenges into strengths. Embracing her role as both learner and mentor, she’s ready to make what seems like a step backward into a powerful leap forward. True leadership starts with sharing our experiences and helping others along the way, and schools can play a pivotal role in facilitating this by implementing new community-based supports.

 

Janet Smith is a proud mom of one daughter and a marketing professional who is grateful for her rural roots in the London area. Follow Janet’s funny and honest journey at IG & TT | @re.marketable.janet or FB | @janetsiddallsmith