I grew up with a hearing disability that affects how I learn as well as my memory, and I thought writing about my experience may help others in need. So, I’ve linked a few websites to this page to point other families towards help. I wasn’t diagnosed until I was 11 years old, and my issue is named Auditory Processing Disorder –APD. Basically, I have problems understanding what people are saying to me at times, although I can hear sound and am not deaf, the incoming words can be incomplete or garbled, especially if there are background noises with conversation from a distance. For years kids at my school, even some teachers and coaches, thought I was ignoring them, being inattentive or lazy as well as intellectually challenged…there was bullying.

My mom tutored me relentlessly on reading, writing and mathematics subjects as a child. Because of her efforts, things became easier for me, but the underlying problem, scrambled verbal instructions, remained. I had serious issues translating conversation which made my everyday life very difficult and frustrating year after year. My parents noticed a few things: 1) It was impossible for me to follow multiple directives like this: “Go unlock the car, find my coffee cup, lock the car, bring the cup inside and wash it, then put it into the cupboard.” 2) They always had to repeat things to me several times to get me to understand. 3) How I would watch the same cartoons or movies over and over continuously for hours on end. 4) My dad almost stroked out trying to teach me how to tie a “clinch knot” for fishing.

My 5th grade teacher spoke with my mom after she noticed I was severely lagging behind my classmates answering verbal questions, and the decision was made to seek medical help. After being diagnosed by a hearing specialist, the school district initiated a Section 504 Plan and assigned a Speech and Language Pathologist to work with me. I have made significant progress the past five years, where it was once almost impossible to understand spoken words, now I have improved to be on par with my peers. Even though I have vastly improved, the school district will continue my assistance to June 2026 as my impairment may never be fully resolved. I remember my dad had texted my soccer coaches three seasons ago about my condition and he had stipulated that they not give me any charity, I had to earn promotions…and I have. Every day I thank God for all who are helping me cope with and overcome APD.