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Dannika's Story: A Powerful Team

Jo Lynn: A Parent's Challenge (Dannika's Mother)
Tammy D. Rowe, M.S.: Opening Doors (Dannika's NILD Educational Therapist)
Now I Love Discovery (small essay written by Dannika)

Jo Lynn: A Parent’s Challenge

Hindsight is 20/20 vision. When I look back at my daughter’s school years, I can clearly see the signs of her learning disabilities: a kindergarten teacher reminding me to watch her letter and number reversals, the difficulties she had learning to read, a third grade teacher who seemed overly concerned with her SAT scores, and finally a sixth grade teacher who suggested testing. Six important educational years would pass before I would address my daughter’s learning disability.

After a disappointing seventh grade year, my husband and I decided to have our daughter privately tested. The test results showed a significant problem in her spatial perception, a problem that could be treated with medication. As parents we were apprehensive to try this solution. Her pediatrician impressed upon me the importance of making long term plans to help our daughter academically. We were hoping for an alternative plan to medication.

That alternative was provided. During a teacher’s workshop, Mrs. Tammy Rowe, our NILD coordinator, explained that our school would implement a new program the upcoming year. With an in-depth lecture, Mrs. Rowe discussed how to identify children with learning disabilities and how the program was not a tutoring session but a therapy program that "re-trains" the brain. The Lord had provided the alternative that we desired. At the end of the lecture, I introduced myself to Mrs. Rowe and told her that I knew a student that was in need of this program whom I loved very much, my daughter.

Our Discovery Program at Westbrook Christian school is helping students every day like my daughter, Dannika. My daughter is just one of many success stories. The changes were small at first, but I noticed immediate improvements. The most noted improvement was in her handwriting. She now forms letters with more clarity and presently continues to improve. Her grades began to improve to an A-B status without tutoring or parental supervision. I am most thankful for the way NILD has empowered Dannika with learning strategies that have given her this independence.

Tammy Rowe: Opening Doors

The administrators at Westbrook Christian School sent me to Houston for Level I training during the summer of 2000. When I returned, they asked me to do an in-service for the entire faculty to introduce NILD.

Many teachers came up to me following the in-service and said they knew students like those I had described during my lecture. One teacher came to me afterwards with tears in her eyes and said; "I know many teachers have said that they know someone like the students you have described, but I love someone like that, it’s my daughter." She went on to explain how her daughter had always struggled in school. Homework was a daily nightmare, organizational skills were nonexistent, and handwriting was a mess…Teachers had tried to tell her that her daughter may have a learning disability. She confessed that she was in denial for many years but was now ready to accept the very real possibility that her daughter had a learning disability. She asked if her daughter could be enrolled in Discovery for the upcoming year.

We did enroll Dannika, a very bright 7th grader who had a very real learning disability. We saw measurable improvement in her just in the first year. Math was her weakest subject. By the last 6 weeks of school, Dannika made all A’s on her report card, including an A in Pre-Algebra, an accomplishment she had never made before. These grades were earned in all regular classes with no modifications. Her mother is one of my strongest advocates for the Discovery Program. Dannika is in her second year in Discovery and continues to make the honor roll (even in Algebra I). Her deficits are being strengthened as she comes closer to the goal of being independent from the help of Mom, Dad and Discovery.

I have enclosed Dannika’s side of the story. I hope you will enjoy her honesty and creativity. It is my prayer that her story will encourage others just as it has encouraged me.

I am so thankful for NILD and the doors it has opened for me to offer hope to the hopeless through the tools God has given. Just like the song, "I Will Change Your Name," God is changing names from Wounded, Outcast, Lonely and Afraid…to Confidence, Joyfulness, Overcoming One, Faithfulness, Friend of God, One Who Seeks His Face.

Your Co-Laborer,
Tammy D. Rowe, M.S.
Discovery Program Coordinator

Now I Love Discovery
Written by Dannika, Fall 2001
Westbrook Christian School,
Eighth Grade

"Dannika, are you not finished with your homework yet?" "How long do you think that is going to take you?" "Dannika, you are not concentrating?"

I guess you could say I had several difficulties in school. My major problems were in math, spelling, and my handwriting was aggravating to any teacher I had. In math I was always mentally worn out. Once I had reached that point, I would begin copying things down incorrectly. These simple mistakes would cause me to fail a test.

My parents had me tested then filled out an application for me. Once I was accepted, I began NILD classes.

My first day was exciting when I met Mrs. Rowe, my teacher. It only took me about five visits to learn the material. Although the work didn’t seem difficult, I was always extremely tired after my sessions. By the end of the second month, I could complete my sessions with ease.

I began to improve right away. My coordination became better. (My cheerleading motions were now in unison with the rest of the squad instead of backwards!) My mom says my handwriting improved and I was even runner up in the Junior High Spelling Bee…NILD has helped me bring my grades up to honors level. Now I finish my homework quickly and have more time for SGA and basketball.

"Are you done with your homework already? That’s great!" "Dannika, your report card looks so good!" "We are so proud of you, Dannika." NILD has helped me so much. That’s why:

Now
I
Love
Discovery