Dollars For Dyslexia
As some of you may already know, my son and I both battle with dyslexia. As an adult, I have adapted and developed coping skills. As a parent, it hit early and hard that my son would find it increasingly difficult to even keep up with almost everything to do with learning because of his mechanical disability. And, yes, it is a mechanical disability, not a thinking disability.
Since his diagnosis, there have been wins and losses, battles, tears, smiles, anxiety -- name the emotion, we have experienced it. Through all of it, the determination to see that he had every advantage available to him never waivered. Tutoring? Yes. Summer school? Yes. The struggle remained real and began to actually take a toll. The education plan in place wasn't really working.
In rewriting Mason's IEP, audio books and dictation were proposed. The amazing special education department requested that Mason bring an iPad, if available, to school. The change in his reading comprehension and confidence level was remarkable and almost immediate. Through this special accomodation to use an iPad, he has not only started surviving, but thriving.
We are fortunate enough to be able to provide this technology for Mason. That said, I am concerned that not all students have access to the same tools and technology as Mason. Behind every dyslexic, dysgraphic, special needs students, teachers and parents must invest in the success of these children. The school needs the help of the community to give every student the advantages that technology can offer. Advancements in technology opened doors for Mason that I would like every student to have.
I reached out to Mason's teacher to see what their needs were to provide all the students with these advantages. The answer:
-- 11 refurbished iPads at $250/each
-- iPad cases @ $15/each
-- Headphones @ $16/each
Please join me in these efforts if you can. Any amount helps. Even if we acheive only half of the goal, that is five more children who get the extra chance they all deserve to thrive.
