A Struggle to Learn: Coping with a Learning Disability

When I was growing up, learning was something that came natural and easy for me. I have always been a quick learner and did well in school, but, unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. There are those who find it difficult to learn as quickly as others because of a learning disability.

The Struggle to Learn

Many people struggle to learn a diversity of things each and every day of their lives. Maybe it is a new program at work, a subject in school, learning to read and write, cook, drive, use a computer or play a sport. Whatever the struggle may be, the difficulty to learn may be due to a learning disability.

My family and I have a friend by the name of Lee, who struggled in school with Math, English and Writing. He was not able to understand how to perform and solve certain math problems, like fractions or decimals. The teacher worked with him to help him understand, but he was still not able to comprehend very well. What took someone without a learning disability a few minutes to learn, took Lee days. When he had to read, he could not remember anything he read, and learning grammar and spelling was highly intense for him. He felt so discouraged and defeated, because he tried so hard. To Lee, it seemed no matter how hard he tried, he still was not going to be able to get it, but he still kept trying. Well, the longevity of his efforts and determination paid off for him, because he graduated high school.

Coping with a Learning Disability

If you suffer from a learning disability, you are not alone. Lee, knew in order for him to achieve his goals, he had to remain steadfast and patient. He accepted the fact that he had a need and worked hard to figure out how to meet that need. He used the areas where he did not struggle to help him in the areas he did. Lee found ways around the standard methods for learning, and he also learned to encourage himself. Lee knew that a learning disability was not comparable to his intelligence. He is a very smart young man and displays many talents, skills and abilities. Yet, he is slow when it comes to reading, writing and math. However, he has learned to overcome what he calls stumbling blocks and is ready to achieve higher goals in his life.

Albert Einstein was slow in his learning and had a difficult time grasping the things that was being taught to him, but he did not let that stop him. He was a very intelligent man and did not allow the disability to define him or have rule over him. Instead, he overcame through diligence and hard work. He continued to educate himself and did not give up. Albert Einstein was a genius and became well known for his knowledge of physics.

There are many people who have to learn to cope and deal with disabilities like dyslexia, stuttering and ADHD. I have a friend who is dyslexic and had a very difficult time in school, because he read backwards and then forgot what he read, was not able to read as fast as other students, his spelling was also backwards and he stuttered. He realized he had a need and began to work efficiently to disable this disability. He learned to take his time by sounding the words out, slowly and carefully. He also made visuals to help him as he read or had to write. He is a very good and creative artist, so he took and used his talents to help him conquer this disability. To this day, my friend has a successful career in Engineering.

Educate Yourself

Education is very powerful! There are many programs that offer exceptional tools and resources to help you excel, while having a learning disability. You may be like my friend and learn easier with the help of visual tools, or you can listen to a voice recording, instead of having to read. Whatever works for you, stick with it and become another Albert Einstein.

Learning disabilities do not label you, nor should you be prevented from achieving your goals. Do not get discouraged, but keep on trying. Continue to educate yourself, stay positive, and do whatever is necessary to reach your goals. A learning disability has no bearing on level of one's intelligence. With determination and motivation to overpower a learning disability, you will become successful in all you are trying to achieve.