2007 Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards
Kirsten, like many RFB&D members, spent many of her early years longing to be considered "normal." She says she developed a passion for ballet dancing as a way to express herself freely without "being encumbered by words."
"My silent struggle to hide my slow learning made me feel inferior and stupid," she says. In school, memorizing things to pretend comprehension was only a temporary mask for hiding her learning problems. Specialists later diagnosed Kirsten with dyslexia, but told her parents she would outgrow it. Her father, who also has dyslexia, knew differently, and when Kirsten's school offered limited tutoring as an accommodation, her parents chose home schooling as an alternative.
Kirsten excelled because her parents provided the additional accommodations she needed. In high school, when friends enrolled in a college-level class offered at a local university to honors students, Kirsten decided to try it out also. Asking her parents for outside assistance, they sought the help of a doctor specialized in learning disabilities who in turn introduced Kirsten to RFB&D.
Listening to RFB&D's audio textbooks has given Kirsten a whole new sense of independence and success, which in turn gave her the confidence to apply and get accepted to Bryan College in Tennessee.
In addition to Kirsten's academic pursuits, Kirsten provided a home for a guide dog puppy for 18 months, assisted in organizing and placing 500 children on soccer teams through the American Youth Soccer Organization and through her church, participated in a mission trip to Fiji, where she helped organize and run a basketball clinic, distributed wheelchairs and visited hospitals and retirement homes.
Regarding her dyslexia, Kirsten waxes philosophic. "I am continually surprised at how many people struggle with reading … and the number of adults who have stopped learning because they are dyslexic. I came to realize that I am not dumb; I just need different learning tools … and in hindsight, I can honestly say that I am glad I am not an 'average American teenager.'"
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"I know the struggles I have faced in my life are not anywhere close to what other have, but I have made my situation work for me to the best of my ability." Abby Nash, Louisville, KY |
At one point during Abby Nash's mother's pregnancy, doctors noticed that Abby's fetal brain was under-developed and suggested that the pregnancy be terminated. Abby's mother ignored the advice and, in the end, delivered a healthy baby girl with a fully developed brain. It wasn't until high school that Abby was formally diagnosed with a Central Auditory Processing disorder which she considers to be a "minor setback." "I've made sure it has "not let it stop me from doing the things which I love."
A peek at this young woman's résumé reveals that Abby loves leading a full and busy life! She has served four years on her high school's student government, including two years as President, one year as the captain of her field hockey team; she has participated in fundraisers, volunteered for the local Hospice and Special Olympics and was a member of the Student Activities Committee, and has been an active member of the National Honor Society for two years. Abby has nine academic and leadership awards to her credit. She is considering becoming a special education teacher and is currently enrolled at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana.
"I know the struggles I have faced in my life are not anywhere close to what other have, but I have made my situation work for me to the best of my ability. I want to give back to the community so that I can show others how to make the difficulties they face a motivator for them."
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"RFB&D opened up this world for me, because unlike my father, who also has dyslexia, I never came to dread books, but instead saw them as doors to knowledge and adventure." Daniel Steck, San Antonio, TX |
Community service has dominated the last four years of Daniel Steck's life and these experiences have helped shape not only who he is, but who he hopes to become.
Diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade, Daniel started using RFB&D's audiobooks on a regular basis, fueling his love of reading. "RFB&D opened up this world for me, because unlike my father, who also has dyslexia, I never came to dread books, but instead saw them as doors to knowledge and adventure," he says.
As a teen, he approached life as an adventure and an opportunity to assist others as well, volunteering his time through his church, local hospital and most predominantly through the Red Cross, helping at local flood shelters, manning first aid stations, organizing fundraisers at school for Hurricane Katrina disaster victims and helping set up a shelter for Katrina victims. He cooked meals and cleaned at a Ronald McDonald House, and this is just the tip of the ice berg, as Daniel has served in many student volunteer leadership roles, including Red Cross Youth Council President.
Daniel is currently studying mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University, gathering the necessary prerequisites to go on to medical school. Some day he hopes to become an interventional cardiologist, offering his services to the Red Cross in the future on medical missions.
"When a student enjoys a subject, he or she will invariably achieve great success in it … I hope to be able to convey to others what a difference RFB&D can make in their lives."
