Day 22: #31 Days: Saturday’s Saint

Day 22: #31 Days: Saturday’s Saint

Today’s saint is St. John Vianney, one of the greatest parish priests in the history of the Catholic Church. Many might be surprised that he struggled in school, because he is such a beloved priest and saint in our church. But he did, and his story of perseverance is inspiring. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney was born and baptized on May 8, 1786 in France. He was raised in a Catholic home, and his family was often found helping the poor. During the French Revolution,…

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Day 21: #31 Days—Quotable Friday

Day 21: #31 Days—Quotable Friday

Sometimes, I see my daughter doing everything she possibly can to appear “normal.” She really doesn’t want her classmates to know that she has Dyslexia. She’s just not quite ready to fully embrace the fact that this is part of who she is. And that’s OK; she’s only eight. But as I journey with her, I try to point out to her all of the things that make her amazing. Some of these things, these gifts, are because she has…

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Day 20: #31 Days: Fun & Educational Apps

Day 20: #31 Days: Fun & Educational Apps

Technology has its pros and cons. Too much screen time is, well, too much and can affect concentration and sleep patterns. But technology can also be a great resource for children with Dyslexia. It gives them a break from writing, which can be a difficult and exhausting activity, and it allows them to use their brain in a different way—the way it was actually created to work. There are many, many apps available to assist with spelling, reading, writing, and…

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Day 19: #31 Days: Finding a Hero For Your Child

Day 19: #31 Days: Finding a Hero For Your Child

I typically don’t get too crazed about “famous” people. They are just people, after all. But their accomplishments often find themselves more well known and in the spotlight. Without getting star crazed, it can be helpful to a child struggling with Dyslexia—coming to terms with their reality, discovering their unique gifts, and embracing perseverance—to see someone from a favorite movie or sport who has a similar struggle. Did you know that 50 percent of people working for NASA have Dyslexia? Why?…

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Day 18: #31 Days—Links You’ll Love

Day 18: #31 Days—Links You’ll Love

Today, I thought I’d just share some helpful links I’ve found on the topic of Dyslexia. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but just a handful of websites I seem to return to again and again. Bookshare—A great resource for audiobooks Decoding Dyslexia—A parent-led grassroots movement for Dyslexia + there you can find state chapters for more localized support IDA—Home of the International Dyslexia Association has lots of research and information Learning Ally—Not only a wealth of information about making education…

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Day 17: #31 Days—How Dyslexia Softened My Heart

Day 17: #31 Days—How Dyslexia Softened My Heart

When my daughter was in Kindergarten, she often cried in the mornings, and I didn’t understand why she dreaded going to school. From my perspective, Kindergarten was fun, creative, and colorful. What could possibly induce tears? Because I didn’t understand what my daughter was feeling, I often got frustrated with her. Her overwhelming emotions added stress to an already-busy morning routine. I had to walk her into the building, when her friends were walking into school independently. She clung to…

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Day 16: #31 Days—Perseverance

Day 16: #31 Days—Perseverance

I anticipated another Scripture Sunday today, but I had the privilege of attending a Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota event with my husband and three of my children. It was a chance for the kids to play at a ninja warrior park while parents talked, networked, and learned about Dyslexia and how to help our children who are living with it. Being at the event helped me remember that I’m not alone in this journey. Not only is it a family affair,…

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Day 15: #31 Days—Saturday’s Saint & Giveaway

Day 15: #31 Days—Saturday’s Saint & Giveaway

I probably should be writing about St. Teresa of Avila today, as it is her feast day. But today’s saint is St. Joan of Arc. Why? Well, this past summer I was on retreat, and I found this lovely holy card of St. Joan of Arc. I was drawn to it because of the prayer on the back, and I thought, “Wow! St. Joan of Arc is a perfect intercessor for my daughter!” Joan was born in France in 1412….

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Day 14: #31 Days—Quotable Friday

Day 14: #31 Days—Quotable Friday

This Friday’s inspiring quote to give us a bit of encouragement, no matter what we are facing. Maybe you are journeying with a loved one who is living with Dyslexia, like I am. Maybe it’s something else. Take heart! God will give you the grace to endure, to thrive, to soar! Feel free to share this quote on social media or on a Pinterest board. For a complete list of topics and links, visit the landing page for 31 Days: One Mom’s Journey With Dyslexia or click the square image below.

Day 13: #31 Days—Sharing Our Story at CatholicMom.com

Day 13: #31 Days—Sharing Our Story at CatholicMom.com

Today’s post was first published on CatholicMom.com. Looking back on her preschool years, I now recognize the early warning signs, such as difficulty hearing rhyming words, like cat, hat, and mat. Throughout Kindergarten, I saw her struggling, but I wasn’t worried, until I started receiving notes from her teacher that she falling behind. In Kindergarten? Really? No amount of phonetic worksheets would catch her up, though. Nor would a repeat of Kindergarten. You see, my daughter has Dyslexia. She is the one…

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