If you asked Ainsley Proctor when she was in elementary school what she thought about her dyslexia, she likely would have responded with a resounding \u201cUgh!\u201d Today, however, the question elicits a passionate response from the poised dyslexia advocate, now entering her junior year in high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrowing up, I viewed dyslexia as a disadvantage. Every day I would say, \u2018I wish I never had this stupid thing.\u2019 Now I wouldn\u2019t change my dyslexia for the world,\u201d Ainsley shared last fall during the International Dyslexia Association\u2019s (IDA) annual conference, where she was awarded the organization\u2019s 2018 Remy Johnston Certificate of Merit. \u201cWithout dyslexia, I never would have developed the grit to get through tasks that don\u2019t come easily, or the determination that drives me to succeed. At this point in my life, my dyslexia works as a strength for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Virginia Beach teen said she was honored to be recognized for her efforts. Presented by the IDA in memory of college student Remy Johnston, the award recognizes a young role model with dyslexia who demonstrates perseverance, resilience, excellence, and community contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosed with dyslexia in second grade, Ainsley began after-school tutoring in the Wilson Reading System\u00ae<\/sup> (WRS) with certified Wilson\u00ae<\/sup> Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) Christine Fagan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI remember the day I met Mrs. Fagan so distinctly,\u201d Ainsley recalled. \u201cOur first lesson started with very basic letters and picture clues to help me learn the sounds. I remember leaving this lesson thinking that it wasn\u2019t that terrible. As the days and weeks and months went by, I learned more and more. My reading fluency improved, and I got better at comprehending as I read. My lessons were fun and interactive. I learned reading strategies I had never used before, like sound tapping and dividing syllables. I was so happy I finally learned to read, and it was finally all making sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to WRS instruction, Ainsley struggled with self-esteem, shared Christine. \u201cThrough many years of hard work and self-discovery, she completed all 12 Steps and blossomed into a self-confident teenager, and a reader!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among numerous activities, Ainsley has advocated for dyslexia awareness before her school district\u2019s board of education and as her platform topic while participating in regional scholarship pageants. She lobbied the Virginia General Assembly for better dyslexia laws, and went on to serve as a Virginia Senate State Page. She currently serves on the Virginia Beach School Board\u2019s Special Education Advisory Committee and attends Decoding Dyslexia meetings. Ainsley co-taught a half-day seminar on dyslexia in 2017 for faculty at the school where Christine teaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot only did Christine Fagan teach me to overcome my dyslexia, but she also taught me to see my dyslexia as a gift,\u201d Ainsley said. \u201cWith her constant support and my hard work, I was able to embrace it and be proud of something that used to hold me back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n