Note to Coach

Here's a letter my daughter wrote her diving coach to put in his Christmas card.  She worked really hard on drafting what she wanted to write in several attempts and finally copied her favorite in her best handwriting.  I wish I had kept track of the hours this whole process took for her to complete!  But since this is something she wanted to do, she was very driven to complete it. 

And this is the first time, she divulged to her coach she had dyslexia.  It was after viewing the documentary, The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia, together.  It seemed perhaps she felt comfortable to share her dyslexia after watching fellow dyslexics talk about it so openly.  

As I helped her fold up this letter and place it in her coach's card, I cried.  Even though I know she loves diving, it was the first time I read her words in her handwriting on what diving means to her. It was uplifting to read, but the admission that school is 'really hard for me' pulled on my heartstrings and left me a little discouraged.

I often find small victories can be both uplifting and discouraging.  I try not to let myself hang on the discouraging part, but insist I hover on the uplifting parts.

How do y'all stay focused on positives?

The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia

(all screen captures are from www.thebigpicturemovie.com)

The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia is a 60 minute documentary airing on HBO.

Here's the scoop:

This documentary features dyslexics of all ages (who were diagnosed at varying ages), some parents plus a few experts.  They discuss the struggles, coping methods, outlook, and positives of dyslexia.  

Here's a list of the people featured:

The director, James Redford, included his wife, Kyle Redford, and his dyslexic son, Dylan Redford in his documentary.

He said:
"When I was given the extraordinary opportunity to make a film about understanding dyslexia, the mission was simple: make the movie I wish my family could have seen when Dylan was functionally illiterate in 4th grade."

He went on to explain:
"It was not easy to cast my wife and son in this movie. We are typically private people, and those who know us will be greatly surprised to see this film. However, the opportunity to help other families in turmoil was important to all of us, particularly my wife, Kyle, who is a life-long educator and now an expert regarding dyslexics and 
education"


The Positives:

• It's positive.  
• It highlights the strengths of dyslexia and how the diagnosed overcame obstacles.  
• It opens up a world of possibility.
• People shared their honest stories of struggle and frustration.
• My daughter connected to the stories (appropriate for children)
• Appreciated the humor 
• The website (www.thebigpicture.com) has additional video clips, FAQs, resources, photos, etc.  It's definitely worth a visit.

The Negatives:

• May not be accessible to everyone to view since it's only airing on HBO and private screenings.

Simply put, I devoured this documentary. I've watched it many times and am finally convinced I've heard every word.  I love seeing the people and hearing their stories of success (able to navigate through dyslexia and still do what they wanted).  It gave my daughter and I great hope.  And has been so inspiring.

My only frustration after viewing this documentary (and this has nothing to do with the documentary itself) is not knowing exactly what to do about some of the struggles now at this point in her life.  I appreciate knowing there is more to the world than academics and she has a bright future despite having to take a different path, but we still have to get through the academics.  And we have to sit at the table tonight and struggle with homework and talk through the anxiety of her next test.