My Name is Tyshia Douglas and I am 23 years old. Some ask, how did my learning disability make me feel like I was the only one in the world that was going through it, especially when I was in school? It wasn’t easy. I didn't trust anybody with my secret, not my teachers, my classmates and sometimes I didn’t trust my friends. In school I tried to hide my learning disability as much as I could because I was scared for anybody to know. I struggled with comprehending my school work which was hard for me because it was like hiding a part of my identity from the world. Almost every year, I went to a different school which meant different teachers, different students, different friends but the same cycle of hiding my disability. The reason why I tried to hide it as much as I could was because I had teachers that bullied me, talked about me and gave up on me when they didn't know how to help me. My classmates bullied me and judged me as well. They also told other kids who I didn't know about my “secret” ...my learning disability. I had so-called friends that talked about me and turned their back on me. They tried to take advantage of me just because of my little “secret”...my learning disability. You would have thought that school was the only place that I was school was the only place where I was being judged but NO…I even had family that talked about me and looked at me different. During this time I stayed depressed and was mentally and emotionally drained. I cried a lot and always felt alone.
Tyshia
Douglas @lashes_by_shay
Finally things changed. I found things that I enjoy and learned ways to express myself. Today, I express myself through makeup, hair, and fashion. God gave me the gift to use my hands. This helps me cope and not give up. I use the internet to help me. I Google or YouTube the things I may need help with. For example, I may use the Dictionary on the Internet to help me with different words that I'm not familiar with. I teach myself with self-help resources. They help me to stay motivated! I also like to listen to Eric Thomas, Les Brown and TD Jakes. I shared my story because I would like see people change how they use the word disability. I want people to know that just because you have a learning disability it shouldn’t hold you back from achieving what you want to do in life; you can still accomplish your goals. A learning disability isn’t who you are, it’s just a word and it shouldn’t define who you are or what you can be. Don’t let a word hold you back. If you have the same determination, let that push you to achieve what you want/need in your life, and in turn that may inspire others to do the same whether they have a disability or not. People may give up on you but don’t give up on yourself!!! NO matter what keep pushing!
Winter Issue 2019| rallyupmagazine.com | 29
