Christopher Walsh: I Did It. You Can Do It, Too

I have a clinical diagnosis of dyslexia with processing speed issues, attention deficit and hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
 
These labels fall under the umbrella of “learning and mental disability/conditions,” and for many parents, one of these diagnoses may be horrifying and scary to imagine for your child. These labels often come with the preconceived notion that life will be more difficult socially and academically, putting children at a substantial disadvantage. My story is meant to demonstrate that despite these disadvantages and hardships, children with these conditions can rise far above expectations with proper treatment, guidance and support.
 
My journey began with a woman who holds a special place in my heart. Many of you may remember Mrs. Rocha from Downey School. Mrs. Rocha was my kindergarten teacher who could see something was wrong and had the courage to tell my parents. From kindergarten to fifth grade, I was taken in and out of classes for additional education, learning to read one letter, symbol, and suffix at a time. I felt so inferior, being taken away from my friends. Although no one wants to feel like that and I can assure that my childhood was not always easy, it has molded me into who I am today.
 
If I could give credit to any two people for my success, it would be my parents. They recognized my challenges, while supporting and listening to me, advocated for me daily and taught me to advocate for myself. As an adult, I now know my parents lost many nights of sleep so I could thrive and be successful, something I have worked hard to ensure did not go to waste. Through their drive and dedication, along with others, I went to the Carroll School for middle school and Westwood Public Schools for elementary and high school. The Carroll School is designed specifically for children with learning disabilities, teaching the same curriculum as a public school, but in an alternative way. Even though in middle school, I was often teased about going to the “dumb” school, I was able to absorb the necessary skills needed to overcome many of the shortfalls associated with my disabilities.
 
I returned to Westwood High School better prepared and dedicated than many of my peers. I struggled with mental health issues throughout my teenage years, including bullying and depression, but with help from therapy, I took those experiences and persevered, rather than let them define me. From that point forward, I dedicated myself to everything I did, especially school, earning three bachelor’s degrees by the age of 23 in Biology/Psychology from Providence College, and Nursing from the MGH Institute for Health Professionals. I graduated at the top of my class in academics. I just started my new job as a Registered Nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Oncology.
 
Looking back on how far I have come and where I am today, I genuinely believe these “disadvantages” were some of my greatest strengths. I chose and continue to choose to see how my brain works as an asset, and any person can do this with the proper support. My hope is that my story can decrease the negative stigma around learning disabilities and mental health challenges, and show that it is not only possible to overcome them, but to rise far above anyone’s expectation.