Danielle Graves struggled in school. Diagnosed with short-term memory and language processing problems, Graves and her mother Nancy worked through many challenges while Danielle was going through school.
Now, mother and daughter have collaborated on a book titled, Surviving Learning Disabilities Successfully.
Grave said she enjoyed writing with her mother. “For us, after 18 years of school, this book was by far the easiest thing we have done.”
The book is meant to help parents of children with learning disabilities. Graves, a 2006 graduate of DU, hopes their experiences will offer practical insight to parents and their children. When at DU, Graves participated in the Learning Effectiveness Program, which helps student who have difficulty learning and retaining information.
“Our experience proves the power of staying 100 percent engaged, never giving up and believing in yourself and one another,” Graves said.
Graves said that when she was growing up it was hard to find resources and people knowledgeable about learning disabilities.
“As I got older, [I was] trying to do as well as I wanted to do and being inhibited too often by narrow minded educational administration and some difficult teachers was a frustration and a real life lesson.”
Graves was discouraged by experts. “People told me that I couldn’t learn or write,” said Graves.
These experiences only made Graves want to persevere. She feels fufilled with her accomplishments and the education she has completed. “I am proud to have earned a great education and I am now focused on the future,” she said
Graves said that “every child deserves the best education possible” and she wants to break down the steoretypes associated with learning disabilities.
“I am very bright. Too many people think LD [learning disability] is the same as unintelligent. Perhaps some people who will read the book and get that. Correcting that perception might make life better for others who have LD challenges.”
Surviving Learning Disabilities Successfully is a guide for parents. Instead of chapters, the book is organized around rules. These include “Believe No One,” “Mine for Gold” and “Advocate (don’t suffocate).” The book avoids scolding or finger pointing, said Graves.
Graves wants her book to touch as many people possible but she said, “We thought if one parent and one child benefited from our story it would be worth doing.”
Surviving Learning Disabilities Successfully is available on barnesandnobel.com and amazon.com. Additional information can be found at suvivinglearningdisabilities.com.
