My love of reading led to my love of writing at an early age. However , due to my struggles with Dyslexia in math, called "Dyscalculia, and my poor spelling problems, called "Dysgraphia," all my aspirations, and hopes of a bright future as a writer were shattered.
I even managed to struggle enough to make it to college for 2 years. I was elected the Corrections Club President both years. I worked on a college newspaper with the help of editors who corrected all my errors in spelling. I started my own Corrections newspaper, and provided bus services to families who had no way to visit loved ones in prison. I was nominated as an "Ohio Fellow," by the college I attended. It was an Honor Group that recognized students who had shown high potential for leadership in their field of interest.
I failed the math class twice, and was not allowed to retake it a third time to get my degree in Corrections. My career was flushed down the drain of life due to my inability to do advanced math, to fit into the mold of acceptable society. I was tossed to the curb of social failure by a society that only sees things their way. I was not blessed academically, but I was not retarded either. People with learning disabilities usually test higher in IQ tests than the average person.
I became a self- appointed advocate for the oppressed, the poor, and those in prison. I started to correspond with inmates over 35 years ago. It has led to my mission in life. I did not need a degree to share my compassion with those who needed it the most.
I have overcome my fear of poor spelling. I comb the dictionary daily for words I still have trouble finding and spelling. My passion to write has won over my fear of bad spelling and grammar. The little red lines under my misspelled words on the computer is a God sent to me. Before this, I was not even aware most of the time that I had misspelled a word until I was viciously attacked by academically perfect people who knew how to spell.
I have had poems published in several anthologies, and small local publications. I have been a speaker in my children's classes at school to read some of my poetry. I send my work to inmates, or anyone who is interested in reading what I have to say, without judging me on my spelling. I have inspired many young people to write their own poetry. Their pride in themselves for looking up to me as their inspiration, has been my reward in life.
I have a need to speak out for those who have no voice. I live in poverty due to my inability to get a job, due to my dyslexic handicap. I could never pass all the required exams needed to get a job. My struggle has allowed me to relate to others who suffer social shame through no fault of their own. I fight against a politically correct society that denies the poor a say in their own views of how things could be better for them. I consider my UNPAID work as a gift from God, to share with the unseen and forgotten who are God's children - No matter what.