The National Youth Leadership Network, an organization run by and for youth with disabilities, is proud to announce the launch of our first ever zine.
Our zine focuses on Disability Culture and what it means to us. Here you will find stories of our lived experiences growing up as disabled youth and how they have shaped us. We hope you enjoy them.
We will begin putting together the next edition of our zine soon. If you would like to contact us about our current zine or our next zine edition, please email Sara Moussavian at saramoussavian2011@
gmail.com or Emily Holmes at cinderella_em1@
juno.com.
The National Youth Leadership Network works to build power and community among youth with disabilities. We are led 100% by and for disabled youth. Anyone can be a member. To join NYLN, visit www.nyln.org. To contact us, please email NYLN at info@NYLN.org or call us at 866-480-6565.
![[Image Description: The side view of a yellow school bus. The bus door is the primarily point of the picture.]
How ADHD Changed My Life
By Laura Rodriguez
Doing my homework after school was often difficult for me. I opened my schoolbooks, eager to feel accomplished. But I had trouble finishing my homework. I would look endlessly for my homework planner, only to realize it was empty. I looked for my textbooks but would not find them. I often left them in my locker at school. If I did find something to study, I took 20 minutes to reread the same page countless times. My head would was in the clouds. Then I would fall asleep on my books. By bedtime, I had accomplished nothing. I ended this daily cycle by blaming myself for not being able to finish one simple task. I felt stupid and lazy.
This is a small taste of my daily struggle with schoolwork. My name is Laura Rodriguez and I just found out that I am not stupid, lazy, or irresponsible. For years I lived with an undiagnosed learning disability. Before learning of my disability, I was not able to reach my full potential. Learning about my disability has changed everything.
I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This diagnosis gives me a feeling of control over my life. Before knowing I had ADHD, I was losing all hope of a successful future. This diagnosis gave me access to a number of resources. After learning about my ADHD I contacted my university’s disability services. I also received medication and attended therapy with my psychologist. These changes have lead to significant improvements in my academic life. My personal life has improved, too. Knowing I have ADHD has opened doors to a whole new life. This life allows me to reach my full potential and I am now finally seeing the fruits of my labor.
I now am able to commit myself to endless hours in the library. I study with the concentration and enthusiasm I was not physically or mentally capable of before. I now feel prepared for class when I arrive and when I leave class I feel self-assured. I finally remember the office hours my professors provide and I meet with them and keep a very organized schoolwork ethic. This may have come later in my college years, but now I am proud to say I am graduating college tomorrow!
In working to understand my disability I have also gotten to know myself. I gained the confidence that was bursting to come out of me. I’ve learned that my disability has not been a barrier in my life. It has helped me reveal the greatest version of myself. Because of this, I want to thank my disability. We may have only formally met recently, but I have a feeling this is the start of a long and fulfilling relationship.
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Laura Rodríguez is 23 years old. She was born and raised in New York City. She is a recent graduate from The City College of New York. She is applying to law school and looks forward to advocating for disability rights.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls960mu9tw1qlk5zyo1_r1_250.jpg)
[Image Description: The side view of a yellow school bus. The bus door is the primarily point of the picture.]
How ADHD Changed My Life
By Laura Rodriguez
Doing my homework after school was often difficult for me. I opened my schoolbooks, eager to feel accomplished. But I had trouble finishing my homework. I would look endlessly for my homework planner, only to realize it was empty. I looked for my textbooks but would not find them. I often left them in my locker at school. If I did find something to study, I took 20 minutes to reread the same page countless times. My head would was in the clouds. Then I would fall asleep on my books. By bedtime, I had accomplished nothing. I ended this daily cycle by blaming myself for not being able to finish one simple task. I felt stupid and lazy.
This is a small taste of my daily struggle with schoolwork. My name is Laura Rodriguez and I just found out that I am not stupid, lazy, or irresponsible. For years I lived with an undiagnosed learning disability. Before learning of my disability, I was not able to reach my full potential. Learning about my disability has changed everything.
I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This diagnosis gives me a feeling of control over my life. Before knowing I had ADHD, I was losing all hope of a successful future. This diagnosis gave me access to a number of resources. After learning about my ADHD I contacted my university’s disability services. I also received medication and attended therapy with my psychologist. These changes have lead to significant improvements in my academic life. My personal life has improved, too. Knowing I have ADHD has opened doors to a whole new life. This life allows me to reach my full potential and I am now finally seeing the fruits of my labor.
I now am able to commit myself to endless hours in the library. I study with the concentration and enthusiasm I was not physically or mentally capable of before. I now feel prepared for class when I arrive and when I leave class I feel self-assured. I finally remember the office hours my professors provide and I meet with them and keep a very organized schoolwork ethic. This may have come later in my college years, but now I am proud to say I am graduating college tomorrow!
In working to understand my disability I have also gotten to know myself. I gained the confidence that was bursting to come out of me. I’ve learned that my disability has not been a barrier in my life. It has helped me reveal the greatest version of myself. Because of this, I want to thank my disability. We may have only formally met recently, but I have a feeling this is the start of a long and fulfilling relationship.
-
Laura Rodríguez is 23 years old. She was born and raised in New York City. She is a recent graduate from The City College of New York. She is applying to law school and looks forward to advocating for disability rights.
