Because without you, this book would never have been possible, I am dedicating it to my teachers. Each teacher, from elementary to high school, touched my life in their own way. But it is my special education teachers that undoubtedly fought the hardest to give me the skills I needed to write this.
I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia in second grade. The diagnosis did nothing to change the enormous struggle that language arts was for me, it only gave it a name. But a few dedicated teachers made all the difference in the world.
I hated reading because it was hard—really, really hard. I hated writing because I felt like I had great ideas, but when I got them on paper they were a mess of bad handwriting. Most couldn’t read it, and when they could, the spelling was all wrong with the wrong word usage and backwards letters from time to time. It doesn’t matter what you know if you can’t get it out of your head.
It was so frustrating, so overwhelming, that just the thought of having to read a book made me cry. I didn’t want to try. I was convinced that it was just never going to happen for me. But there were a few teachers who had different plans.
My special education teachers stepped in. They worked so hard, finding alternative ways to teach me, researching my disability, and making sure I had every opportunity to succeed. When I wanted to give up, insisted on giving up, they wouldn’t let me. They pushed back and demanded I give 100 percent to overcoming the obstacles of my disabilities. Some days, when I was frustrated and hopeless, I hated them for it. But they persisted anyway. And there is no way to say thank you enough for that.
Because of their efforts, one day it all clicked for me. The girl who cried at the thought of reading fell in love with books. The girl who fought against all written communication turned into an author.
Sally Buford, Pat Keeling, and every assistant I came across in your classes: The work you put into the children you teach has a lasting effect that is immeasurable. You may never know the full impact of the work you do, but know that it is immense and so appreciated.