Our Reading Angel - Part II

Mrs. Coats entered our lives two years ago, when J started first grade.  His confidence level was at an all-time low, and he would frequently tell us he was the "stupidest kid in his class in reading".  He didn't get it.  He would do anything not to have to read - or at least try to.  Now I mentioned in Part I that I cognitively understood this.  I've had experience and training with dyslexic children, specifically with the Orton-Gillingham approach.  (If you haven't heard of OG and have a child who may be dyslexic, click this link!!!)

Mrs. Coats had this same background and training and had just moved to the area a few months earlier.  He husband had been transferred, and she had to leave the specialized school in which she worked.  When we first met her, I felt an instant connection.  She took J under her wing and encouraged (and sometimes in the first year had to coerce) him to learn and utilize the strategies that would help him overcome his dyslexia.  She was both honest and optimistic with me.  She was loving, sincere and patient with J.  The strides J has made these past few years are just incredible.

Now this is enough to make Mrs. Coats an amazing women.  But really, there's so much more.  You see, this woman gave us the gift of her faith as well.  When she started working with J, she told us how she was praying for him - and for him to learn to read.  Now I am a strong believer in the power of prayer.  I take my Christian faith and walk very seriously.  It embodies who I am and all that I do.  For her to share this with J and me spoke volumes.  How blessed were we to have her in our lives and to work with J these years...

But we received some heart-breaking news a little over a month ago.  As a matter of fact, I got the phone call as Gabi was driving me to the Boston Airport after our Nantucket adventure:  Mrs. Coats was moving back to North Carolina.  Her husband's work contract was not renewed.  Stunned silence.  Intense worry.  Both she and I were devastated.

J's last session was a few weeks later.  As we were saying our goodbyes, J gave her a card in which he wrote, "Thank you  for helping me learn to read".  I handed her a gift and card from Mike and me.  I couldn't even talk as the sobs were choking me.

We received a letter from Mrs. Coats last week.  I want to share part of it with you.

"...I do believe that God placed me in your world 

for a reason, and I am deeply grateful to our Lord 

that you allowed me to help you.  My desire is to 

serve Him by guarding others from suffering the 

debilitating effects that my brother suffered and is 

still suffering from being unable to read. I did not 

know what I would do to use my training when we 

moved to A****, and God opened the door and 

used you to show me."

J continues to get help from a specialist at school.  He is doing very well and loves third grade.  I attribute his success to many people.  However, it is Mrs. Coats, our "Reading Angel" who is in our hearts, who was placed in our path for a reason, who shared her own special ministry and faith with us...

You Can't Plan These Moments

You can't plan these moments.  Mike, the boys and I had just finished watching The Polar Express, and Sumter decided to get the book out to read it to us.  So cute that Jackson snuggled up next to him.

He was almost finished when Jackson started reading it! 

(...remember that Jackson is my dyslexic child)

What a great way to end the weekend...

Blessings...

All A's for Jackson!

Today I am one proud mama.  You see, my second grader came home with all A's on his report card.  "Big Deal," some (most) of you will say.  And I completely understand.  I mean, how hard is second grade... really? I know where you're coming from, because I taught it for five years - in a very competitive private school at that.  But I am so proud of my second grader.

Why?  Because my incredibly funny, athletic, good-looking boy with a knack for math has dyslexia.  My son can't read on level.  Letters and words have never made sense to Jackson. (I taught in a school that specialized in teaching children with dyslexia when he was in preschool and saw many "red flags" even at that young age.) While most of his friends read Magic Treehouse books and other chapter books, my eight-year-old is tutored two days a week by a private learning center, and has been for the past two years.  While his older brother went to summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina, Jackson spent four weeks living with his grandparents so that he could attend a summer program at an Orton-Gillingham accredited school specifically catering to dyslexic children.  Reading exhausts him.  Last year (in first grade), he would say it made him feel stupid.

Here are quotes from some famous dyslexics just like my Jackson and what they remember about school:

When I had dyslexia, they didn't diagnose it as that. It was frustrating and embarrassing. I could tell you a lot of horror stories about what you feel like on the inside.

--Nolan Ryan

I was, on the whole, considerably discouraged by my school days. It was not pleasant to feel oneself so completely outclassed and left behind at the beginning of the race.

--Winston Churchill

I couldn't read. I just scraped by. My solution back then was to read classic comic books because I could figure them out from the context of the pictures. Now I listen to books on tape.

--Charles Schwabb 

But this year has been different.  No, he didn't all of a sudden start to read.  (He will always struggle with reading.  He will have many, many, many ups and downs.)  Now, he understands his learning difference.  He accepts it.  He knows that he is in very good company - thanks to his experience this summer!  He has started using the strategies and coping skills he will have to use for the rest of his life.  Also, he has a wonderful teacher whom God has blessed us with.  I tell Mrs. Sanborn that all the time.  I know God placed her in our path for Jackson.  She understands his needs for accommodations and extra time with work.  She gives his reading comprehension tests orally.  She looks for alternative (not to be confused with easier) academic assessments to help him succeed.  He loves school and looks forward to it every morning. 

So hats of to Jackson.  I am so, so, so proud of you! 

Mom