Personal background

Throughout my years of schooling, I have always struggled academically. In first grade, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder (SID).  I was never able to focus very much and I was always very physically uncomfortable which got in the way of my learning. I was later diagnosed with anxiety and depression, which made my learning situation worse than it already was. My teachers never believed in me and they constantly doubted my abilities. Some teachers told me I was lazy, undetermined, and that I did not care about school. Although this was not true, it got in the way of my confidence. I started doubting myself and I started to believe what my teachers were saying about me. I knew that they were wrong about me but the voice in my head was telling me otherwise. Even though I was insecure about what they were saying about me I didn’t let that stand in my way. I learned in middle school that I had to work 10 times harder than other students. There were many obstacles that stood in my way, but I knew with hard work and dedication I would overcome each obstacle and succeed in my schooling.