Letter from Tracy Anglada, A Parent of a Member

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is also a matter of opportunity," so said Hippocrates. We in Charlotte County have started a healing process since Charlie tore through our county some 5 months ago. But for some of our children the hurricanes were only one hurdle in a life full of challenges. The people at RFB&D have given these children in Charlotte County the "opportunity" needed to both heal and grow.

This opportunity has personally touched my family. To understand this you must understand my own love of reading. As a child I would read for hours on end imagining myself being an Indian captive, a young slave girl, or the owner of a fine horse. This love of reading led me to become an author as an adult. But for my son reading and writing are not enjoyable, they are hard work made difficult by a neurological impairment. This impairment prevents the proper encoding and decoding of visual information. Imagine trying to read when the words won't stay still on the page, when they swirl and blur. When the spaces don't appear in the right places. This is an experience incomprehensible to most but a daily challenge for others causing discomfort, headaches, and nausea, not to mention some major frustration.

While corrective filters have made the printed page more comfortable for my son to look at, reading is still hard work for him and not an enjoyable endeavor. Reading aloud together gave my son a glimpse of the world that can be opened up by books but made him dependent on others. The idea that my son would never be able to experience and share my love of reading on his own was intolerable to me. Through the help of some wonderful people locally, Ms. Carmany with the local school system and Ms. Brown the local outreach coordinator, we were introduced to the RFB&D organization. Both Ms. Carmany and Ms. Brown have given us continued support to make sure our experience is a successful one. And indeed it has been.

RFB&D has given my child the tools to study independently, the ability to be transported to imaginary places, to be successful in his school life and to share my love of books. I could not be prouder of my son, Spencer, who is currently able to attend a general education reading class with the assistance of his Victor machine and receiving B's. Not to mention learning to advocate for his needs and educate others about his learning differences. What has this meant to me as a parent? It's simply a gift that I can never repay. Although the hurricanes have given us the chance to thank you in this special way it's really the work you do every day that makes such a difference. For giving us the "opportunity" to heal and the chance to grow, I say "Thank You".