CJs story

I’m 10 years old I am diagnosed with autism ADHD and Irlens but the main issue I struggle with is dyslexia. Jersey typically does not diagnose this which makes me sad. If they they did then maybe I wouldn’t feel like my struggle with reading and writing was my fault, I would have a reason behind this and yes another battle to fight. I’m good at fighting battles I’m a brown belt in karate so that helps me to keep fighting everyday. I want to share my story around dyslexia and build awareness because it’s not just a struggle with reading and writing it’s the way it makes me feel when all my friends around me find it so easy and I still can’t do it. This makes me feel like I’ve failed and as reading and writing is everywhere like football cards, PlayStation games and even going to the shop makes life so much harder I don’t understand it. I get all confused and have to ask questions then feel stupid and sometimes people sigh and I don’t like this I get upset when people sigh or roll their eyes. When I failed at something so big it makes me so scared I’m going to fail again so now everything new I do, it feels like so much pressure and I’m scared to try it, just in case I fail again. It also means I am very forgetful which makes me very frustrated, I really want to remember everything but no matter how hard I try I still forget and lose things all the time. I think my mum has this because the amount of times we go to the car and she’s left the car key on the key hook at home. This makes me feel like it’s not just me and I always remind her when I forget things like this so that I never get told off for losing things.

When I was starting to really believe I was never going to be able to read, I asked my mum for extra tutoring lessons after school. My friend at karate had extra lessons to help him so I asked. My mum found words and numbers who are a charity. I went and met them they were kind listened and asked questions and said that my brain tries to memorise words to compensate for what dyslexia might be, preventing me from reading so we used books with lots of repetition and this built my confidence. They said that because I was so determined to read and write they would be able help and that I will be able to read if I work hard. Finally some hope that I might be able to go to college and university and be smart like young Sheldon.

On the car ride home after the first session I said to my mum that when I get a job I’m going to give money back to words and numbers. She nearly cried for some reason but said to me if I wanted I can do something like a run and raise money. Yes I said I love running I can run around the island. Mum said that was too far and I should just do 5K but I would have run all day if it means helping words and numbers out, they are my hero.

My mum said because I’m only 10 she’s going to run with me. I’m not too sure on this idea but she says she’s gonna train so she can run the whole way. My mum gets pain in her body from something called arthritis so it’s a big thing for her but she said because I’m working hard to read and write she wants to show me she can work hard and get fit and healthy too. She says she’s so proud of me but I’m proud of her too. My older brother also said he’s going to run and support me and I think I might have a few other supporters it’s so nice that people care and know this is important to me.

Please sponsor me if you can but if you can’t sponsor me then please share my story to reach all those people who struggle too, so they know they are not alone and that it’s never too late to learn you just have to find the way your brain learns. I also want to say if you see people struggling to read or write please don’t hurry them or sigh or make them feel stupid as they already feel like that, please just help them.

Oak Group Jersey, Mauritius, Isle of Man and Guernsey are really supportive and going to share my story as far and wide as they can too.

On the 30th August i am going to run 5k from the upside down boat to the burger bar and back with my mum and brother and anyone else that wants to run and support us. Time is still to be confirmed.

I still don’t have a dyslexia diagnosis but my mum and school are working to get one so fingers crossed.