10/09/2026
From a Little Girl Who Struggled to Read to a Published Writer. ❤️📰
When I was a little girl, I used to watch my grandpa read the newspaper every single day.
It wasn't until later in life that I discovered my grandpa couldn't read very well himself. But that never stopped him. He read what he could, absorbed the information he understood, laughed at the funny comments, and checked the obituaries to see if anyone he knew or loved had passed away.
What he didn't know was that his little granddaughter was watching him, learning from him, and being inspired by him.
This photograph was taken by my wonderful Aunt Ginger Sanders. I remember this day and our little photo shoot so clearly. I also remember sitting there trying to read the words on those newspaper pages, struggling to pronounce them or comprehend what I was looking at.
I wasn't really reading. I was just following along, pretending I understood.
Little did I know that one day, I would be writing the very articles I once struggled to read.🥹❤️
Growing up with dyslexia and a speech impediment wasn't easy, especially when I didn't even know I had dyslexia. I struggled for years with reading, pronunciation, and expressing myself. I didn't really learn to read until around sixth grade. I was placed in specialized classes, and there were times when I felt so far behind.
I learned to hide my struggles behind humor. If I mispronounced a word, stumbled over my speech, or made a mistake, I would laugh and turn it into a joke before anyone else could. Making people laugh was easier than letting them see how much I was struggling.
Looking back, I realize I wasn't just covering up my mistakes. I was hiding a part of myself because I was afraid of how others might see me.
I probably could've been the poster child for “No Child Left Behind Law” because somebody definitely needed to come back and get me! 😂
But something happened that helped change my perspective.
One day, I was talking to my friend Meagan, complaining about being dyslexic and the challenges that came with it. She said something so simple, yet so powerful:
“But you love challenges."
I had never looked at it that way before.
And you know what? She was right. I DO love challenges!
I've always been someone who enjoys figuring things out, pushing myself, learning something new, and overcoming obstacles. Yet somehow, I had spent so much time looking at dyslexia as something that held me back instead of recognizing the strength I had developed while navigating it.
So, Meagan, thank you! ❤️ You probably didn't realize how much that conversation meant to me, but your words helped me see myself from a different perspective.
Sometimes, all it takes is someone reminding us of a strength we've had all along.
But look at me now!
That little girl who struggled to read is now reading more than 20 books a year, something I've been doing for the past three years.
And now? I'm officially a published writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Minnesota's oldest Black-owned newspaper! 📰❤️
I can't even begin to explain how much this means to me.
This is bigger than an article. Bigger than seeing my name in print. This is about growth, perseverance, facing challenges, and realizing that the things we once believed would hold us back can become part of what makes our stories powerful.
To the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, THANK YOU for giving me the opportunity to share my stories, experiences, knowledge, and education with our communities. Thank you for continuing to provide a platform where voices can be heard, stories can be shared, and communities can learn from one another. To the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder,
Thank you for allowing me to share my stories, experiences, knowledge, and educational insights with our communities. I appreciate your ongoing commitment to providing a platform where voices can be heard, stories can be shared, and communities can learn from one another. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE and receive your copies along with all the news you’ve been looking for!
You are part of the change our communities need.
And to anyone who has something important to say but worries about their spelling, grammar, reading ability, speech, or whether their words are good enough:
WRITE IT ANYWAY! SPEAK UP ANYWAY!
Get your thoughts out. Tell your story. Share your knowledge. Ask for help when you need it. Let the editors do their jobs, and don't allow the fear of imperfection to silence something that could change someone else's life.
You never know whose heart your words might touch or whose life your story might impact.
I can't help but think about my grandpa. I wish he were here to see this moment. I believe he would be so proud. ❤️
My first article, “Breaking the Chains — Part One: When the Storm Finally Breaks," is officially published!
📖 Read my first article here:
https://spokesman-recorder.com/2026/10/07/breaking-the-chains-part-one-when-the-storm-finally-breaksbreaking-the-cycle-of-trauma-healing-and-recovery/
And we're just getting started! Be on the lookout for the next three articles in my -Breaking the Chains- series:
📅 October 27, 2026
📅 November 24, 2026
📅 December 29, 2026
Through Sexual Abuse Warriors (SAW), our mission is to continue educating communities, equipping survivors, and creating opportunities for healing, growth, and prevention.
Together, we will continue to REACH — Resilience, Empowerment, Acceptance, Community, and Hope.
Trauma does not define me. Dyslexia does not define me. My speech impediment does not define me. My challenges do not define me. But how I choose to grow through them is part of the legacy I get to create. ❤️
With Love,
Analissa Your Future author
