She can sore to great heights and feel as though she is jumping over the moon.
Her dream to be great and to live her passion is the reason for her glorious wings.
This girl could't always fly.
She struggled. She fell behind. She fought hard to find her way. She never gave up.
This girl was diagnosed at a young age with Dyslexia. This language processing disorder can hinder reading, writing, spelling and sometimes even speaking. Dyslexia is not a sign of poor intelligence or laziness. It is also not the result of impaired vision. Children and adults with dyslexia simply have a neurological disorder that causes their brains to process and interpret information differently.
School was a burden for this girl. She struggled every night to finish homework. She repeatedly did not pass the Standardized Tests, which resulted in her being placed in remedial reading classes. School became something she hated.
But this girl is strong. She struggled. She fell behind. She fought hard to find her way. She n e v e r gave up.
And this girl found her wings. She found the wind that would lift her to high places that would help her achieve her passion in life.
Her wings were not sparkly or incandescent. Her wings did not shimmer in the sky. They were not the colors of the rainbow.
No. These wings were dirty, hairy, smelly, and had four legs. These wings were covered with saddles, bits, halters, and bridles.
The wings that made this girl fly were horses.
Horses allowed this girl to be all that she could be. Horses did not care if she could read, or write, or speak well. Horses did not care that she was in an intensive reading class for the 6th year in a row. Horses did not care if she struggled to make passing grades in school.
But, horses did give her the wind to make her fly. Horses became her life, her passion, her reason for living and breathing. Horses have allowed her to be the best at something.
This girl was the #1 4-H High Point Senior Equitation Rider in the State of Florida her senior year of high school. She is a blue ribbon horse rider. She is so darn good.
Horses allowed the idea of attending college become a reality. She now rides for the Equestrian Team at St. Andrews University in North Carolina. She is on the team that is heading to Pennsylvania for the IHSA National Horse Show. She is living her dream.
This girl is my younger sister, Emilee. "Emma" as I call her, and "Wilson" as she calls me. She is also the reason why I have chosen to pursue my Master's Degree in Reading Education. This girl found her wings, and because of her I want to be a part of the journey for students who struggle with Reading disabilities.
This weekend, she competes in her first ever National Horse Show with the rest of her team from St. Andrews University. I'm so proud of her and all she has accomplished. I wish I could be there to cheer her on! Go get that blue ribbon!
This girl is unstoppable. This girl doesn't give up. This girl is determined.
Put this girl on the back of a horse, and be ready to watch her fly...
All my love to you Emma.
