ABC 40 Video

Advocacy Through Baseball: Senator Brewer

Photo courtesy of Sophia Hasenfus

Massachusetts State Senator, Stephen M. Brewer, who serves the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin District, leaves Larry on the mound after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the baseball game commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Quabog Plantation on the North Brookfield common.

Although I have known Senator Brewer for years, he took the time to cut out an article about my baseball story from the Boston Globe and mail it to me, along with a very nice personal letter. 

Senator Brewer is a consummate politician. He attends countless events throughout the year, and is always willing to listen, and advocates in the State Senate for many of the wishes of his constituency. As good advocates for what we believe in, we need to get to know our local politicians, our state reps and state senators and our congressional representatives and senators. It takes time, and dedication, and commitment, but if we seek results, this is the kind of advocacy that is absolutely necessary.

Boston Globe Video

Sharing Information on Advocacy for Children with Learning Disabilities

Photo courtesy of Diane Orlando

Spending time talking about the issues with concerned parties is one of the best ways to generate enthusiasm, and recruit potential volunteers to help with the cause. I always take every opportunity to stress the importance of understanding your cause, and of knowing who your legislators are, and of keeping them informed, and seeking their support.

Always Remember The Little Ones

Photo courtesy of the Boston Globe

As a "picture thinker" I have many vivid memories of my childhood, the good times, as well as the difficult times. Many of these picture memories have helped to inspire me to want to help make a difference in the lives of people with similar problems to those I faced growing up.  I have always been drawn to working with children and adolescents. Now my baseball story has unlocked the door for me to be a powerful advocate on behalf of children with learning disabilities.

Graduation Day: The Impossible Dream Becomes True

Photo courtesy of Sophia Hasenfus

After flunking out of college twice, 40 years previously, because of my then undiscovered learning disabilities, I had the honor of walking in the Springfield College graduation ceremony in May of 2011. I graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a perfect 4.0 straight A grade point average. I am wearing the gold honor cords, signifying that distinction, as well as honor cords from Who's Who Among American College and University Students, and from the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for Human Services. I also received the Springfield College Humanics Award. 

This accomplishment was all the more poignant considering the frustration, shame, and hurt which I suffered for most of my life as a result of having dyslexia (can't read), dysgraphia (can't write), dyscalculia (can't do simple math), and Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

My college education, changed my life forever.

Family Members After The Final Game Of The Season

Photo courtesy of Sophia Hasenfus

The dream would not have been possible for me without the loving support of my family. Pictured here are family members who were able to attend the final game of my college baseball career. My son Nathaniel, (far left) hooked me up with Dragon Naturally Speaking computer voice recognition software, which enabled me to speak into my computer in order to "write" all of my college papers,and in fact this blog. My wife Karen, (3rd from left) read most of my assignments to me, because of my dyslexia. My 87-year-old father, (5th from left) stopped at ballfields wherever we went to play catcher for me as I honed my pitching skills.

The Gift Of Dyslexia

I was first introduced to The Gift of Dyslexia, by Ron Davis at the end of a social work seminar on learning disabilities, about 7 years ago. At that time I had only recently learned for certain that I had dyslexia myself. This was in spite of the irrefutable evidence of my stumbling through anything that I attempted to read, mixing up the order of phone numbers, spelling words with the letters mixed up, and even writing words on the paper from my thoughts, that were not even needed until four or five words, or even the next sentence later.

These problems have led to a great deal of self-examination, and the development of many coping skills along the way. I still circle my mistakes when writing and go back to try to understand why I might have put a certain word or letter in the place that I did.

The Gift of Dyslexia immediately caught my eye among the many books on the table for sale. One of the letters in the title was backwards, and I had an urge to pull out my pen and circle it. Amidst a throng of people there, poring over the various books, I decided that I should first buy the book, and do any circling on the cover after I got home. Seven years later I've never read the book cover to cover. The list of books I have read cover to cover in my entire life is a short and cherished list. I have, however, spent many hours reading bits and pieces here and there and using it as a resource guide. I have recommended the book to many people, and I continue to recommend it to anyone with an interest in dyslexia. It has given me a great deal of comfort and perspective over the years. I learned from putting the link on this blog that The Gift of Dyslexia is now available on a CD, and I intend to acquire one myself.

I am struck by the wide range of difficulties that dyslexics have symptomatically, and by the range of other diagnosable problems that seem to go hand-in-hand with dyslexia. For example approximately 30% of dyslexics also have ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), including myself. Each different disorder accompanying dyslexia brings its own unique "twist" to the problem. I highly recommend this book to anyone with dyslexia, or to parents of dyslexic children, and to educators in the field.

Larry H Advocacy Blog: About Me

Larry H Advocacy Blog: About Me

I welcome your thoughts and comments on learning differences especially where children are concerned.

How can you help ?

I am interested in learning more about advocacy efforts on behalf of people, especially children, with learning differences that you might be aware of, and like to share.

Various venues may include; school systems, nonprofit agencies, government, religious organizations, and the workplace.

You can learn more about legislation that supports kids with learning disabilities here.  There are a number of ways to get involved and to learn more about the laws.