Often times, many of us carry on in life like we are living in la la land because we were born without any alleged disabilities. Albeit, the jury is still out on me.
I’m probably more guilty of this than anyone so once in a while I’ll go out and find someone who has to fight through adversity on a daily basis. The good news is I get to take you on these journeys.
I’m no different than any of you in that I tend to get on the excuse train when I am feeling lazy or sorry for myself. Well, one day I was in line at Subway and I got into a conversation with a man who has a son that plays football for Oak Ridge. The line was long and we had some time to kill. If you are with me during these situations and you are not a talker, you will need to be polite and tell me to shut the hell up or you’ll be telling me your life story within five minutes.
Luckily, this man was very engaging and we got into a conversation about many things, but mainly dyslexia. The connection was his son has dyslexia and my wife who teaches elementary school and has some experience in this area in dealing with some of her kids over the years. He went into detail as to his son’s trials and tribulations and it just fascinated me as to how this gentleman’s son has been able to overcome his issues. Being the nosy writer that I am, I had to ask this man if he wouldn’t mind if I did an In The Spotlight article on his son. His response was polite as he said this is a personal issue but he’d ask his son and would get back to me.
I’m pleased to say we received a positive response … Meet Oak Ridge sophomore Taylor Dye:
When did you start figuring out that you might have some type of learning disability?
I’m not sure. I do remember fourth grade was when school became frustrating and not much fun.
What were some of the symptoms you noticed?
The things that really frustrated me were the numbers were moving around on the page.They even seemed to be floating in the air at times. I would read and write numbers and letters backwards. That meant I would miss easy math problems or mis-read words that would change the meaning of what I was reading.
When and how did you start dealing with this?
By the end of my 4th grade year I was working with Mrs. Bradley. She was using a program called Basic Language Skills. It was really in depth. I had to relearn my letters and their sounds all over again. Then blend and unblend letter’s sounds to read and spell words. I remember writing a lot. At first, just spelling words, then writing sentences, and then to writing paragraphs. I even learned about the history of the English language and where the words we use came from. I also had to learn spelling rules to help me spell correctly. The whole program took about four years to complete.
If you are taking a course that requires a lot of reading in a short time, how do you accomplish all that you have to do?
Sometimes, instead of reading a book for a report or something, I will listen to it on tape or CD. My teachers will have read alongs, tapes, movies, or CD’s during class and that helps me a bunch.
You have had to work harder than most people to get through school and you can’t be commended enough for your massive efforts. However, overcoming dyslexia is a team effort. Can you tell us about your team?
First off, I have to say that without my dyslexia coaches Mrs. Bradley, Ms. Caves, and Mrs. Japp. I don’t think I would be doing as well as I am. Also, my teachers have been great. I have not had a teacher yet that has not been willing to work with me and sometimes that can be tough on them. I use to go to tutorials in the afternoons at Houser, Vogel, York and here at Oak Ridge High School.
I go to lots of tutorials in the mornings, before school, because of football. My teachers have gone so far as to give me printed notes for class so that it is easier for me to keep up. Being dyslexic doesn’t mean I can’t do all the work, it just means it will usually take me longer to finish it. I guess too, I have had to learn to communicate better so that my teachers understand my situation.
Do you think having dyslexia has made you mentally tough?
I’m not sure of my mental toughness, but I do have to deal with myself. If I was to make excuses, I wouldn’t be able to progress. Not making excuses comes natural to me so I don’t look at it as being mentally tough. I can get tough on myself and doubt my ability to be successful. That’s when my family and friends can be very helpful. They’re part of the team, too.
Do you think having dyslexia has forced you to grow up faster than most kids?
Not so much. I think a lot of kids have to grow up faster than they want to because of situations life may throw at them. To hear my mom and dad talk about it, kids today are growing up faster than they used to.
You play center in football. That requires a lot of reading diagrams and play books.
The position is underrated in that the center doesn’t just hike the football. The center has more responsibility than every player on the team except the quarterback. Offensive line coaches tend to think the center has even more responsibility. A person in your situation could have chosen a less complicated position like right guard. How did you get started at center?
Wow, tough question. I have been playing organized tackle football since I was 6 years old in Kenner, La. When I was eight, we moved here to Spring. I joined the SCFL (South County Football League), played at York, and now at Oak Ridge. I have always played center pretty much and learning plays was never a problem. Then, last year Coach Kitterman brought in a new offense with no huddle and it was hard for me to learn. Not so much learning the plays but having to think of what blocks to make against what defense in a matter of seconds. I started out last spring at center, then right tackle, then back to center, then to right guard, and then finally to left guard. After the first week of spring practice I was on the fourth string and doubting myself. Thanks to coaches Bailey and Caganaan continually working with me and pushing me I became the starting right guard on the JV-A team. Because of my moving around, I actually became familiar with all the positions on the offensive line and the different blocking assignments. In fact, during the Woodlands game I was asked to move to the center position, where I stayed for the rest of the season against Lufkin and Kingwood. I have to give a shout out to Coach Kitterman. He has worked with me since the summer and all through the season. He has been a big help not only solidifying the plays in my head but helping me with my technique at a new position.
I see that you really appreciate the people who have helped you deal with dyslexia. Do you do anything to help others that have the same issue?
Yes. My dad works with dyslexic students at Oak Ridge Elementary and I go over from time to time to work with his students. Mainly, I tell them if they work hard and follow the program that they can be successful. I talk to them about my own experiences, what they can expect, and answer any questions they have. It’s actually fun.
At the onset of your dyslexia, how did your parents help you deal with it?
When we first found out I had dyslexia, Mom and Dad found a list of famous people that had or have dyslexia, to show me it was doable. They taught me not to use it as an excuse, but to use it to build my character. My parents are always there when I start to doubt myself. Last spring they told me to hang in and that I would figure it out. Mrs. Rasco was my 4th grade teacher at Houser and she saw my frustration and got the ball rolling. My dyslexia coaches were Mrs. Bradley, Ms. Caves, and Mrs. Japp, and they made dyslexia workable. I have to mention all my teachers but I might leave one out and that would not be fair, because without all of their patience and understanding I wouldn’t have been successful. Finally, my friends. They have my back and that is important to me.
Because of your disability, are you exempt from being declared academically ineligible to play sports?
I haven’t been under the 504 umbrella since midway through my 8th grade year and I have a 3.4 GPA. Don’t get me wrong, TAKS Math still kicks my rear end and the PSAT was really hard for me.
I know it’s early, but have you thought of college and beyond?
Currently I’m in 10th grade. I definitely want to go to college somewhere. My dream is to play Division 1 football. Career, not sure. Maybe coach and teach.
What do you like doing with your free time?
I like playing football, basketball, track, hunting, fishing, and playing X-Box with my friends on the weekends.
Ladies and Gentlemen, now that’s a great kid!
Comments to Doug Sarant at doug@oakridgenow.com.
For more information on dyslexia and education, contact the folks at the Partners Resource Network.
About Doug Sarant