My name is Jennifer Smith. I am the author of dyslexia wonders and I am fifteen years old.

When I was 9 years old I could not read. It wasn't just a little either. I couldn't even read the word T.H.E "the". I would remember it some days and forget others. I was teased relentlessly. No matter what I did I was called stupid. And my spirit was so low that my mom tried anything.

We went through dozens of reading programs but none worked. I would either get so confused or not know what they were talking about. Or get it and forget the next day. Once I thought I actually learned how to read. That was with the hooked on phonics learning program. But then I got to the second box, and I was lost. I thought nothing could help me or there wasn't anything for me.

When I was the age of ten I started to go to a place in Grand Rapids that helped me with my learning disability called dyslexia. They used a method called the Orton Gillingham curriculum to help me learn. After a few weeks in the program I could read whole chapter books let alone the word "the". My memory improved as well as my reading. I went through the program twice a week for three years.

When I graduated my mom and I were asked to do a speech (which my mom and I gladly accepted). Each of us brought the crowd to its feet with tears and smiles. They asked me to do another speech. But this time it was in front of four thousand, four hundred people. It was thrilling standing up there and at that time I was twelve when I did the speech.

After a period of time I was asked to do 2 other speeches on behalf of the place I learned to read from. One of them was to speak at the graduation ceremony that I graduated from 3 years prior. The smile that went on my face seeing another child learn how to read. I wanted to cry from the over whelming emotion that got caught in my throat.

Since the day I graduated I said I would write my book and I have kept to my word. I want people to realize that when someone has dyslexia it is not a curse but that it is a blessing.

What I have done since I have graduated from my reading program.

I am a black belt in taekwondo, certified scuba diver, singer, song writer, currently a Sophomore in High School and a 4.0 student, photographer, writer, jewelry maker (glass and beads), videographer, play many sports including basketball, volleyball, and soccer, speaker and spokesperson for the Grand Rapids children's Learning Center.

I try to make up every second that I live. Because I had to give up my life for three years: for one single goal. Which was to learn how to read, and that was my commitment. My new commitment is to help others learn about dyslexia. And let them have a glimpse of what it feels like being one as a kid growing up.

Visit my website at www.dyslexiawonders.com