Dyslexia
This is what it means to have a disability that l struggle with. When I try to put something on paper it all doesn’t make sense, or it does not want to write in the first place restricting what I am trying to convey.
I don’t know some words as well, and I don’t use words that are big or hard to spell. It’s a learning and developmental disorder that affects 10 per cent of people in society. This disorder affects reading, writing, and spelling.
When I was younger, I had trouble reading books that were at my age level and instead read books that were below my grade level. Some people think that letters and words get flipped around in our brain, but that’s not true. Our brains just function differently, and we struggle with pronouncing words and learning in the same way that others do.
I have two disabilities that are hidden, and while they don’t always affect me, I struggle with doing everyday things like grocery shopping and having a social life. That’s why ‘easy reads’ are so important for people with learning disabilities. Our brains do not work in the same way as other people do so it can be very hard to understand things and that’s why easy reads are important because they give the information using keywords in sentences.
Intellectual disability
This is my other hidden disability. An Intellectual disability is under 70 on an IQ test. It is hard to get help because people cannot see your disability. I have been told that “You don’t have a disability”. And I also been told that I don’t ‘look like’ I have a disability. This is not the case. People like myself just have a hidden disability. Intellectual disability has been hard but try having intellectual disability and dyslexia.
Why is it so important to have early reads for learning disabilities? Easy reads are not just easy but they have all the information. And l like to learn in a way that is easy to read, but still has all the information. It is great that this is out there for those with a learning disability. People say words and letters flip around in our brain and of course this is not true. Our brains just are not as good at processing words. I believe there is a correlation between my Dyslexia and also intellectual disability.
There are so many celebrations such as International Day of People with a Disability, Disability Pride Month, and neurodiversity celebration week. I want to give a voice to those as someone who has an invisible disability. This disability is neurodivergent.
Being part of a community is wonderful because is means that you’re not alone. Because you have people that you can you rely on. And it is a safe place because you feel like there is no judgement. It also a safe place to tell your story and say what it is like to grow up with an intellectual disability and dyslexia. It is about support. And celebrating everyone’s disability. And it is great to be understood. I feel like I was alone and now I am part of a hidden disability community. I have been able to embrace my disability is being a big part of being me and enjoy having a community and having allies. They help me advocate for myself but also for the whole hidden disability community. In the past when I met people for the first time I could not say that I was part of the disability community. Because I was scared of being judged by society. But I have now got the courage to tell people that I have a disability. Now I identify myself as a person who has a disability. And I am not afraid to tell people who I really am and not hide who I am. I have slowly stepped into my disability.
Ellie Taylor is an alumni of the University of Sydney.
