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Hello there from Michigan. :)
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| DJHolzhueter |
Posted on December 15 2008 02:48 AM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 2
Joined: 2008-12-15
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Hi, I'm D.J. I'm a sixteen-year-old high school student in Wyandotte, Michigan.
I've kind of always known something was wrong with me as far as math. I mean, I excel in things like reading, writing, social studies, and sometimes science, but even as a child, I could never grasp math. Even now, I still count on my fingers (which I guess isn't too terribly uncommon!) I have horrible trouble with my multiplication tables and even my memory suffers from this. I can't grasp any mathematical principle for the life of me and sometimes, I feel like something physical in my head is stopping me, like a mental block I can feel.
Unfortunately, very few people have been able to grasp my claim to dyscalculia since I found out about it. Luckily, I've had my best friend who is dyslexic who could side with me. But I've had math teachers and counselors all telling me I'm lazy and am just trying to make an excuse. Even my parents say I'm just excusing it. I'm not too sure what to do, but I know something has to be done. My grades in math are suffering from this and I really don't want to fail it just because I have a disorder I have no control over.
More than anything, I'm just glad there's people out there like me who can say that they've been there and can say that they share my pain. It's an awful thing to go through and I'm happy to know I'm not the only one and no, I'm not stupid.  Thanks for this site and for all you people who I can share my story with.
-D.J. |
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| twistedxkiss |
Posted on December 15 2008 02:55 AM
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Member
Location: Michigan
Posts: 555
Joined: 2008-09-19
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I was able to get screened in Ann Arbor. That's quite a bit out of your way, but I'm sure there are other cities in Michigan, possibly even Wyandotte included.
Half my family is from the wyandotte/trenton area. |
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| justfoundout |
Posted on December 15 2008 04:17 PM
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Member
Location: Texas USA
Posts: 6135
Joined: 2008-05-25
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12/15/08
Dear DJHolzhueter,
Welcome. You're going to be so-o-o glad you've found this forum. We need the support of knowing that we're 'not the only one'. Sometimes a test will confirm your dyscalculia, and that document will make your life easier, especially when you have to deal with counselors or teachers who don't have knowledge on the subject yet.
In my case, the support from the forum and of knowing that 'I'm not the only one' became even more important because the very professional who tested me, in effect, did to me what you've been suffering,... she implied that I wasn't 'trying hard enough' and that I just had to put forth the effort to learn it. She also implied that the only reason I hadn't learned College Algebra was because 'everything else' was so 'easy' for me. Her report on me makes it sound like I've never actually had to 'study' before, so now it's time that I started having to do what everybody else has always done,... buckle down and study. With this kind of (arrogant) reaction from a professional who is SUPPOSED to be an expert on LD's, it took every gram of my strength to withstand this completely unfair assessment. Happily, at about the same time that this happened to me, there were suddenly several other forum members, from all across the U.S., who were having the same problem with not getting a Math LD diagnoses, even though they ARE dyscalculic. If you do get the actual documentation of the disability, I think that you can expect a lot of help. But even if you don't get the positive diagnoses of the Math learning disability, you'll still get a lot of help just by reading others' stories here on the forum.
I'm so glad you're here. We also have other 'young people' here on the forum, and I'm sure that they will find you. Let us know how it goes for you with your search for testing. I'm an older female. - justfoundout
Edited by justfoundout on December 15 2008 04:20 PM |
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| reverend blamo |
Posted on December 15 2008 11:30 PM
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Member
Location: Island of Misfit Toys
Posts: 620
Joined: 2007-10-25
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Hi DJ and welcome, Yes it sucks when someone says "your not trying" or calls you lazy. Is there someone at your school that is trained to know about LDs? That is the person you should go to. But then again several here can sdvice you better than I can, my school career was a while ago.
"I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused..."
Elvis Costello |
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| monkeyfeathersmom |
Posted on December 15 2008 11:32 PM
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Member
Location: Southeastern U.S.
Posts: 322
Joined: 2008-11-10
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Welcome! You're in good company here. As you can see, your story is familiar to many here.
Parent of math impaired 14 year old daughter.
"...they think a lot of my issues are caused by math anxiety (but my anxiety would be caused by dyscalulia, now wouldn't it?)" - AnimalHugger |
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| ApplePi |
Posted on December 15 2008 11:43 PM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 39
Joined: 2008-12-12
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Hey, welcome to the forum. I joined maybe two days ago (leave it to me to remember). But I already feel very welcomed. What math are you taking now? I'm 15 in 10th grade and taking Algebra 2, which is very difficult. I got an "ungradeable" quiz because I made so many mistakes. Luckily we're moving on to permutations which are easier because its way less calculations and steps. |
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| evie dee |
Posted on December 17 2008 09:33 PM
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Member
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 570
Joined: 2007-12-01
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Hello, DJ. Im Eva. I see that you're downriver. I'm in Sterling Heights.
*waves* |
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| monkeyfeathersmom |
Posted on December 17 2008 09:46 PM
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Member
Location: Southeastern U.S.
Posts: 322
Joined: 2008-11-10
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I'm beginning to think the Michiganers need a community thread!
Parent of math impaired 14 year old daughter.
"...they think a lot of my issues are caused by math anxiety (but my anxiety would be caused by dyscalulia, now wouldn't it?)" - AnimalHugger |
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| evie dee |
Posted on December 17 2008 10:09 PM
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Member
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 570
Joined: 2007-12-01
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monkeyfeathersmom wrote:
I'm beginning to think the Michiganers need a community thread!
Michigan is a pretty big state. |
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| monkeyfeathersmom |
Posted on December 18 2008 12:01 AM
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Member
Location: Southeastern U.S.
Posts: 322
Joined: 2008-11-10
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Yes it is. My husband's family is from the lower part, mid way, or the lower palm. On vacations I've had the chance to see some of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Holland, Lansing, Houghton Lake, and up to Mackinac Island. I'd love so see more of the west shore and the U.P. It's just such a fabulous state with so much to see and do.
Parent of math impaired 14 year old daughter.
"...they think a lot of my issues are caused by math anxiety (but my anxiety would be caused by dyscalulia, now wouldn't it?)" - AnimalHugger |
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| twistedxkiss |
Posted on December 18 2008 12:05 AM
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Member
Location: Michigan
Posts: 555
Joined: 2008-09-19
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monkeyfeathersmom wrote:
Yes it is. My husband's family is from the lower part, mid way, or the lower palm. On vacations I've had the chance to see some of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Holland, Lansing, Houghton Lake, and up to Mackinac Island. I'd love so see more of the west shore and the U.P. It's just such a fabulous state with so much to see and do.
I drove north to Marquette a few years ago, upper UP, from my hometown (Between Detroit and Ann Arbor), and I found that there's a certain point in Michigan where there just stops being stuff. It's mostly trees and snow and the occasional town if you're not in the far north or in the south. There was one town that literally consisted of a billboard with the name on it, and a trailer parked in front of it. We saw log cabins and everything. |
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| evie dee |
Posted on December 18 2008 10:23 PM
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Member
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 570
Joined: 2007-12-01
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monkeyfeathersmom wrote:
Yes it is. My husband's family is from the lower part, mid way, or the lower palm. On vacations I've had the chance to see some of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Holland, Lansing, Houghton Lake, and up to Mackinac Island. I'd love so see more of the west shore and the U.P. It's just such a fabulous state with so much to see and do.
I havent' been up north in years. I love Traverse City. At first it looks like a little resort town in fForida, and then you see lots of beautiful summer homes that blow your mind near a wooded area. I havent' been up to the UP, but I'm dying to go-it's beautiful up North, and even in the UP.
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| monkeyfeathersmom |
Posted on December 19 2008 12:04 AM
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Member
Location: Southeastern U.S.
Posts: 322
Joined: 2008-11-10
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I've been to Traver's City, but just the resort town part. I wish we'd had a chance to see the home part.
Parent of math impaired 14 year old daughter.
"...they think a lot of my issues are caused by math anxiety (but my anxiety would be caused by dyscalulia, now wouldn't it?)" - AnimalHugger |
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| Dulcy |
Posted on December 19 2008 02:27 AM
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Member
Location: American Southeast
Posts: 202
Joined: 2008-08-27
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DJ, welcome. So glad you found us. If I know anything, it's that we have to stick together in this, and this group will.
I second the suggestion that you find a counsellor at school that knows something about learning disabilities. If that person turns out to be useless, keep looking. Helps out there, you just have to find it.
You're lucky to be going through school now, and not a million years ago when I did. Nobody ever heard of this then, and yeah, I got the same thing. "Try harder. You're just being lazy."
Well, we know better. We "get it." So not everyone is saying that to you. Hang in there. 
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"
The Summer Day by Mary Oliver |
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| evie dee |
Posted on December 20 2008 09:16 PM
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Member
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 570
Joined: 2007-12-01
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monkeyfeathersmom wrote:
I've been to Traver's City, but just the resort town part. I wish we'd had a chance to see the home part.
If you go towards the parks and the seafood restauraunts, that's where the homes are. There's a seafood restaurant up there that I like that's right near a cliff. |
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| MichaelJ |
Posted on December 21 2008 01:58 AM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 1
Joined: 2008-12-16
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Hi DJ
Here is more confirmation that you are not alone.
My 20 year old daughter dropped out of high school because of how frustrated she felt with math. She would get it one time, then the next time it would totally be gone. Then she started avoiding the class, and school in general because she felt stupid.
Also when when she went from Junior High to High School the teachers didn't give her the extra help.
Also I am a tutor for a high school freshman and the student is home schooled. But he has the same eerie symptoms. He says its like putting everything away in a drawer and its all in order, but when he goes back to open up the drawer, its upside down and the pieces are all jumbled up. It's like starting all over again, but worse.
Speaking from an outside point of view, I don't see either my daughter or student as being stupid. They are very "with-it". Whatever you do, don't get down on yourself...just try to have fun with it...and don't worry about the grade/score (yeah, I know, easier said than done).
I think part of the problem is the expectation. It is hard to live up to what you think everyone expects, and it makes it all the more frustrating. Plus, when you add that stress to yourself, you do worse because you are concentrating on how you are feeling rather than on what you are doing.
Bottom line...you are not alone.! |
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| DJHolzhueter |
Posted on December 23 2008 01:17 AM
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Member
Location: No value
Posts: 2
Joined: 2008-12-15
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 I'm really glad I got such a warm welcome! And thank you to everyone who said they could see things from my point of view. I've been attempting to work at this with counselors and such now, but it's proving just as difficult.
I did have to repeat a semester of algebra but the teacher I had for that class was extremely patient and helpful. Now I'm in algebra 2 with a teacher that doesn't even know what she's talking about. That definitely provides me enough evidence to claim I'm not only dyscalculic, but distracted just as much. 
Well, I'll keep sticking to this forum in case I need help. You all seem very helpful. |
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