Here's a huge success from a state University:  Severely dyslexic and LD student makes frequent visits to the Disability Services team for tutoring and intervention with faculty.  No one thought he could even go to college.  He graduated with a four year degree.

I know that's a little vague, but it's the best I can do at the moment : )

Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
www.luxuriouschoices.net 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: RKenyon721 at aol.com 
  To: learningdisabilities at nifl.gov 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:19 PM
  Subject: [LearningDisabilities 1664] Stories of Success


  Hi all,

  Thanks to Glenn, Katherine, Beverly, and Carol for their responses.  This discussion continues to get more interesting as it proceeds.  I especially like stories of success that our students and consumers experience.

  I welcome such success stories.  Please feel free to post your stories to remind us what we are doing well~ and how we can positively impact lives!

  Thanks,

  Rochelle


  Rochelle Kenyon
  Moderator, NIFL/LINCS Learning Disabilities Discussion List
  Center for Literacy Studies at the University of Tennessee
  RKenyon721 at aol.com 
   
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  Learningdisabilities at nifl.gov 
   
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  I agree with all of your comments. Based on my past 20 years in ABE working primarily with students with disabilities in a small town, very few want to leave their familiar surroundings, or travel more than 25 miles to work. I think much of that is dues to the fact that they have experienced successful change. Staying with the unknown is better than taking a chance on experiencing the what might be even worse (and in their mind it will be worse). 

  First, I feel that it is important for the student to experience success and examine their past successful experiences. The personal interview is a great help. I use some of the interview tools developed by N. Payne. I think the most difficult part is convincing the student that it will take time. After all I like everything the microwave way.

  Given time and much encouragement, some students do succeed and find a good job. I just want to relate this story of a student....... Justin, 23 years old, LD, attended public school, resource classes, accommodations--the whole nine yards. When he entered 9th grade at age 16, he was encouraged to quit school.  He visited me last week to thank me for helping him. He has earned a GED, Early Childhood  Teacher Certificate, and has a part time job as a teacher assistant in EC class. All that was good, but my greatest joy came from his story of his train trip to Atlanta, alone. He had never traveled anywhere alone in his life. He planned the whole trip and is saving money for his next trip. He also wanted to thank me for making him to take responsibility for his own life. His mother passed away this past year. There were many individuals involved in Justin's life, but the most influential one was the friend who insisted that he ride to the community college with her while she attended nursing classes.

  Hope this gives those of you some encouragement to continue on, everyone will not succeed....... but some will. Just let them know you believe in them and that you care.


  Carol Allen 
  Career Readiness Certification Director
  Rowan Cabarrus Community College
  704-216-7210 office
  704-202-7065 cell













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