Walking in Their Shoes: A Deeper Understanding of Dyslexia Through Travel

This summer, my family celebrated a huge milestone—my daughter’s high school graduation. Her achievement was especially meaningful as she has worked incredibly hard to overcome dyslexia, dyscalculia, and anxiety. We marked the occasion with a long-awaited family trip to France and Italy, filled with beauty, laughter, unforgettable memories, and so much joy.

While the trip was wonderful, one unexpected moment of reflection stood out to me. As we navigated foreign cities, I found myself unable to rely on reading to get us from place to place. I struggled to read train schedules, street signs, restaurant menus, and billboards—all because I couldn’t understand the French or Italian languages. Suddenly, I had a small glimpse into what life can feel like for individuals with dyslexia—especially in their early years before they develop strong reading skills.

This experience gave me a much deeper empathy for my husband, my son, my daughter (they all have dyslexia), and all the students I work with at My Learning Farm who are growing through their own reading challenges. I was reminded of how brave, determined, and resilient my kids have been—working hard to become confident readers despite how vulnerable and overwhelmed they must have felt at times.

The gift of reading is truly life-changing. It builds confidence, independence, and opens up the world.

If your child is struggling with reading, writing, spelling, or math, I invite you to reach out to My Learning Farm. I offer compassionate, individualized support for learners with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and more—both in person and online.

Let’s work together to build a strong foundation and a brighter future for your child.