Exams are nightmare-ish enough, but for Abigail, 16, it's even worse and that's because when she was 11 she was diagonsed with Dyspraxia. But if one thing's for sure, she's certainly not going to let it hold her back...
Abigail's Story
Ever since I was young I had difficulty with simple things that other people in my school would find easy. My family always knew there was something "different" about me, they just didn't work out that (for example) the reason I couldn't ride a bike was because I had Dyspraxia.
As well as having difficulty with school subjects such as Maths and English, I couldn't hold a pen properly and I had to ask someone else in my school to tie my shoelaces for me, which was made even more embarrassing by the fact that hardly anyone in the school actually liked me, mainly because I would refuse to play with them. You see, I couldn't skip, catch or run without falling over.
Even when I was a baby I didn't even crawl properly (I would sit on the floor and kind of shuffle to move around until I learned to walk). I always used to fall down the stairs due to my bad balance, which terrified my parents who thought something was seriously wrong with me.
School was tough
When I started school, it became more and more obvious to me and my family that I was not at the same level as the other children in my class.
My teachers would make everyone in the class stand up in front of everyone to practice things like the numbers, the alphabet, spelling and times tables… and I could never remember any of them. The others used to make fun of me for this, telling me how useless and stupid I was.
“They said I was different and lazy”
In PE lessons, no one wanted to work in a group with me and would laugh at me when I fell over or couldn't catch a ball, and when I told the teachers about it, they said it was my fault for being "different" and "lazy". They didn't understand that no matter how hard I worked on these things, I just couldn't remember anything.
My parents could tell that there was something wrong with me, but they always thought it was Dyslexia due to my difficulty with reading and writing.
Answers
When I was 11, we finally found the answer: I was diagnosed with Dyspraxia. This is basically a condition that affects some or all areas of development, i.e. emotional, physical, language, social and/or sensory. I know now that Dyspraxia can overlap with other things such as Dyslexia (difficulty with reading and spelling), Dyscalculia (difficulty with mathematics) and Autism, which explains all my other difficulties with things like English and Maths.
We actually found out I had Dyspraxia by pure luck, when a teacher at my school recognised my symptoms because her son also had it. I knew what I had was only mild and my family were even told that with lots of support and dedication on my part, I wouldn't have any signs of a learning difficulty by the time I went to college.
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
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Overcoming Dyspraxia
So I worked very hard to overcome it. I learnt to tie my shoelaces myself, remembered how to hold a pen properly and spent extra time learning things like times tables and doing hand exercises to help me write quicker.
“I worked hard to overcome it”
I was made even more determined to do well when a girl in my secondary school who also had Dyspraxia WOULD NOT do anything to try and overcome it. When we started our new school she was ahead of me and I was still struggling with quite a few things, but because she saw it as an excuse for not having to put much effort in at school, she actually got worse while I got better.
I remember her telling everyone that neither of us could do anything and that WE were always at the bottom of the class. I just wanted to prove her wrong. After years of arguing that I wasn't lazy, that I had dyspraxia, she actually was being lazy. I didn't want people to think we were the same.
Moving forward
Now, I am preparing for my GCSE exams and while I won't do brilliantly at them, I'll do better then my family or my school expected. I still have problems with a few things, but I feel a lot more confident with learning new things.
Because of the bullying I went through, I still find it hard talking to new people, but I know that Dyspraxia is not a big problem, really. My little brother was diagnosed with Autism, and my other little brother has recently been diagnosed with the same thing.
It really upsets me seeing my little brothers going through the same things I did; being bullied and not getting any support from the teachers - but at least now we know how to help both of them. I'll be there for both of them.
I guess what I really want is for more people, especially teachers and parents, to know more about different learning difficulties and to realise that just because some people find things hard, it doesn't mean they aren't trying as much as all the straight A students in the school. And that's something I'm going to prove to everyone.
More information:
BBC Health article on Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia Foundation
Are you being bullied?
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Eve, 15
I have the same condition as Abigail and it is hard. I was bullied also and find writing, tieing my laces and tie hard even PE is difficult for me. I didn't crawl either I shuffled round in my bottom. My parents knew there was something wrong with me too and we didn't find out till I was 11 or 12. I am now 15 and still trying my hardest in my subjects. Some of my teachers have shouted at me and some still haven't apologised for shouting at me. They say write bigger and other things, I tell my mum to ring the school to say something but, sometimes they just don't listen to her either. All people with this condition you're not alone, I may only have a slight bit of it, but I do know what they go through each day of their lives.
Key, 14
i have dyspraxia too, well done for being so inspiring and not giving up :) i think an important thing is to raise awareness, so others can understand and i dont have to explain all the time xx
claire, 13
This story has really made me realise not just to give up on anythink and just go for it. well to be completly honest i hope you do very well in your GCSEs hun. you deserve it afetr all this and well done for coping with all of this. i love you (L) x
soph, 16
I think it is shocking that the teachers didn't try and understand you are support you. You sound like just the kind of person we need in our life these days. Good on you for being determined and good luck for those GCSEs!!!
Charlotte, 13
My brother has dyspraxia. It is really tough for him but if you are as brave as Abigail you will be fine :)
Sophie, 12
Wow, that's really inspiring. I think its amazing how you're proving your teachers wrong and you can do well :)Good Luck!
Frances, 14
I got it too but mines mild. I fine with reading and maths but my spelling and handwriting is awful. most times I try to skip doing much in PE. I still struggle with lots and cause that I was bullied I now have scoial promblems. I relly hope you do well in your GCSE you can relly tell your a hard working preson. Rember just cause you've got Dyspraxia dosen't mean your stuipd.
Chloe, 15
I think that's so inspiring! You do right to try and not let it get the better of you! You are not lazy!!!! Well done! Your story really made me think I can make a bigger difference! x
Sarah, 14, 14
I think dat its AWFUL that teachers would call you "lazy" or "different"!!! Its not your fault you have this condition teachers should support and help us!!! Good luck in your GCSE exams!!! Luv sarah:)
Anna, 20
Hi, I also have dyspraxia, and know how hard it can be sometimes. But I managed to get over it, and am now at university! Theres no reason why you can't do brilliantly at your GCSE!! But it will be harder than most poples. But thers nothing you can't do! Good luck! x
Allison, 17
Awww.....I'm Glad You Got Through It And I Hope You Do Great In Your GCSE's! Good Luck! xXx
Susan, 13
Omg ur so brave, well done x
Roxy, 15
hiyawhat you have though is amazing and i'm really inspried by your determination and you will deffinertly be great at what ever you do and good luck in the future. the outher girl should learn from youroxy xxx
emma, 17
well done for all your effort! i'm dyspraxic too, i was diagnosed when i was 16 after i had taken my gcses, i'm sure you'll do well in yours, i managed to get all As and Bs and 1 C! i still can't catch though:( i know loads of dyspraxic people cause my school specialises in mild learning difficulties as well as mainstream
Jess, 14
My friend has Dyspraxia. I hate seeing people treating her differently because I used to do the same thing until I knew more about her and her condition. I'm so glad Abigail has told her story as it will make other people more aware of Dyspraxia and how to treat people with it. love Jessx
Amy, 14
You are soo brave, it must be very hard with 2 brothers both with autism, but i hope you can help them overcome the bullying, and i hope you do really well at your GCSE's no matter what you get, just getting to that stage is a big step forward...x
Bow x, 16
Its really good to see that u r working hard to overcome your dyspraxia its really encourageing for others in your situation. i have a few friends with same thing and i have gotten to know them for who they really are. keep strong sounds like u will overcome it. x
Alice, 18
Omg it actually sickens me that even now nobody understands, they are ALL idiots, and teachers are even worse, they are supposed to be there to help and support us- its their job. I really do look up to you, as even though i don't have Dyspraxia i can imagaine how secluded you must feel. I hope other people learn how to understand. Your new bff Ali x
Emma, 12
my big brother has autism and most of his teachers say that he is just lazy and naughty but hes not and he finds it hard but everyone still expects him to do really well. Just cause you have a dysability doesnt mean you CANT do well but its makes it a lot harder :)
Annabel, 14
I'd just like to say how brave you are!!! my cousin has the same sort of thing im going to ask my aunie to get him checked out for this thanks you, you really could have changed his life!
Emma, 15
Thankyou for putting up this story slink. its about time this condition got recognised, its all dyslexia this and autism that, but no-one really understands that its all part of the same thing, seeing as I have dyspraxia too, its difficult when all the other difficulties get recognised and when i go i have dyspraxia everyone is like, what?
