Originally Posted by Pemberley
So anyone else experience this rollercoaster of emotions? On one hand I feel strongly that knowledge is power and so I want to learn all I can about how to help her, on the other hand so much of this information makes me sad, fearful, angry, guilty, etc. Any words of wisdom?

Wow, you have very eloquently put all of my feelings into words!! I oscillate through most of those feelings each day. My DD9 has ADHD and was recently diagnosed with dyslexia. Sometimes, I find reading too much makes me feel overwhelmed and very sad on DD's behalf. I wonder, almost constantly, how she ended up with all of these diagnosis. Then I redirect my thoughts to focus on why dyslexia can and should be seen as an advantage, how ADHD makes her a highly entertaining and energetic kid, and how her giftedness means that there is never a dull or restful moment in our house. I can't even imagine how what she would be like if we could sort out each issue and make one or two go away. Each one goes into the unique and masterful making of 'her' and I would not change a single molecule in her adorable little body. But yet, I long to just fix everything for her. I want to shelter her from every bump in the road to come (and man, will it be riddled with potholes!!). I want to wrap her in bubblewrap and make everything okay for her. I want to rale at the world and God for any suffering she has endured and will in the years to come. I want to take up many hours of each teacher's valuable time and make them understand that they will never, ever in a million years see what is in her head if they choose to focus only on what she can put on a paper. I want every single person she comes in contact with to know how sensitive and insecure she is, how fragile her self-esteem. I want to be the best advocate, the strongest protector and the most badass body guard you have ever met. And I know that, ultimately, I have to send her out in the world every single day... all by herself. The best I can do to advocate on her behalf and give her the skills and courage to advocate for herself as much as possible.

This thread is the number one reason why I love and need this forum so much. How do you explain these feelings to someone who has never been through it? Hugs to you as you continue to venture through the 2E journey.

I found this amazing quote in my research on dyslexia:

�It does not matter how you learn� you have greatness in you. Your job is to figure out what your gift is and give it to the world.� Henry Winkler

We have to do our very best to help them find their gift.


Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it. — L.M. Montgomery