Today’s Simi Valley, Calif., Acorn carries a story about a recent graduate of Grace Brethren High School and how she has dealt with a language-based learning disability. Elizabeth Paxson is headed to college and someday hopes to become a lawyer. (Grace Brethren High School is a ministry of the Grace Brethren Church, Simi Valley, Calif., Jordan Bakker, pastor.) A portion of the story appears below. Click here for the complete article.
Teen refuses to let dyslexia stand in her way
Graduate sets aside ‘crutches’, thrives in high school
When Elizabeth Paxson was in third grade, she discovered that she learned differently from her classmates.
The Simi Valley resident was diagnosed with dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that makes reading and spelling difficult. At the time, she was involved in Grace Brethren Elementary School’s power line program for extra help with reading, spelling and vocabulary.
“From the time I got diagnosed, I got a lot of exceptions, like turning in spelling tests late, and my reading level wasn’t so stellar,” Elizabeth, now 18, said.
In elementary school and junior high, she took full advantage of what she calls “crutches,” or special accommodations teachers made for her.
“But in high school, I really tried my hardest not to use any crutches because I opened my eyes to the realization that it isn’t going to work like that in college or the real world,” she said. “I realized I needed to figure out how to find another way to learn so (the dyslexia) wouldn’t affect me, whether it was listening to books on tape or drawing pictures.
“And now, all the grades I’ve gotten were done without accommodations because I wanted to be at the same standard as all my other classmates.”
All of Elizabeth’s hard work must have paid off. She was among 61 seniors who graduated May 27 from Grace Brethren High School.
Click here for the complete article.