Battling Disabilities by Peyton

Battling Disabilities by Peyton - December 2024 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my life, I have encountered numerous challenges that have truly tested my resilience and determination. Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia made everyday tasks—like reading or staying focused—feel like an uphill battle. As if that weren't enough, I also struggled for years with poor vision, unaware of how much it added to my difficulties at school. During my high school years, the weight of these challenges became even heavier, with constant pressure to keep pace with my peers. Despite starting from a place of disadvantage, I have managed to overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger, enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and pushing myself to reach heights I once thought were out of reach.
Throughout my early years, I didn’t fully grasp why learning seemed to be a tougher road for me than for others. With ADHD, concentrating was a challenge; my thoughts would leap from one idea to another, making focus feel impossible. Dyslexia compounded this struggle, turning reading into an arduous task, with letters dancing on the page in ways that made comprehension a slow and frustrating process. To add to the mix, I had an undiagnosed vision issue. For years, I simply thought that the blurry chalkboards and smudged text were how things were supposed to look. It wasn’t until later that I got glasses, and, in that moment, I realized just how much clarity I had been missing out on.
In high school, these struggles became glaringly obvious. While my peers appeared to navigate their assignments and lessons with great ease, I felt like I was constantly in a race against time. Even simple tasks, like reading a paragraph or taking notes during class, required me to put in double the effort and time. Though teachers would often encourage me, I could sense their unasked question: Why can’t you just focus? It wasn't about a lack of effort—if anything, I worked far harder than most—but my learning differences just made everything a bit more challenging.
Nevertheless, I was determined not to let these hurdles define who I am. I gradually developed strategies to help me push through. For instance, I started breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable chunks to help with my ADHD and used planners and timers to keep myself organized. With dyslexia, I committed to reading each day, utilized audiobooks, and sought out resources that could assist my growth. Getting glasses was a pivotal moment—it felt as if a veil had been lifted, allowing me to engage fully with the material around me.
By the time I reached my junior year, I had not only caught up with my classmates but began to shine academically. I challenged myself with AP classes, which demanded more focus, discipline, and effort than I had ever experienced. These courses pushed me beyond my comfort zone, revealing to me the extent of my potential. Today, I no longer view myself as “behind.” Instead, I see a person who has faced significant adversity and emerged stronger because of it.
My journey with ADHD, dyslexia, and undiagnosed vision problems has instilled in me invaluable lessons on perseverance, adaptability, and grit. These insights have prepared me not only for academic success but for the various challenges life presents. I take pride in how far I’ve come and eagerly look forward to the journey that lies ahead.