Issue 26: Strength Beyond My Struggles | Darcy Byrne

School is tough, that I know,
imagine it ten times as slow.
I try, and I try, yet still, I fail,
The words jumble, the letters crawl.
The words have no meaning
Each lesson drags,
an hour feels slow,
with no place to hide.
Reread, reread. That’s all I ever do,
the stress is endless.
The tests, the tasks, they cut me to my core,
echoing through me like a bell.
The more you give me, the more I implode.
So easy, so easy, peers say with ease.
Like if my hard work was meaningless.
Yet they don’t see the sleepless nights,
just to pass or get the same grade as them
Yet these repeat through my head.
Step in my shoes,
See how far you go.
Tease me, bully me,
I refuse to be as low as you,
Yet, in my heart, I know.
Despite my disability,
I am willing to grow.
~
Darcy Byrne

Personal Reflection

Now, everyone knows how stressful and exhausting school is! Try learning when everything is ten times harder, and you have to work harder than anyone else just to get the same result. It’s beyond frustrating. Everything makes you tired, even if it’s as small as reading one single paragraph: you lose your place, reread the same line over and over, and by the end, you don’t even remember what you just read. It makes you really hate reading. And don’t even get me started with the questions! Most people look at a question and instantly know how to answer it. Me, on the other hand—well, I just stare at the question, completely lost. I waste so much time just sitting there, trying to make sense of it. By the end of the lesson, I know just as much as I knew before because I don’t even know how to begin answering. It also takes me forever to read, so when a teacher expects us to read three chapters overnight, it feels impossible. Like, give me a break! My disability makes everything ten times harder, and on top of that, it makes me feel exhausted and even worthless because, despite putting in so much effort, it still feels like I’m falling behind. And don’t even get me started on tests—I freeze, my brain shuts down, and I walk out feeling like a failure. Dyslexia is a pain, and sometimes, I wish people could understand how hard it really is.

Dyslexia is a pain, and sometimes, I wish people could understand how hard it really is.

When I found out, I kind of already knew because I struggled with reading; every time I read, I seemed to lose my place and reread the same thing over and over. Also, the letters jumbled, and different lines would get darker, making it hard to focus on reading a sentence. It wasn’t a surprise; however, it has been helpful getting more support that benefits my disability. It makes it easier to read and write, but I still have trouble. I believe it has made me more empathetic towards others facing hard times. Even when I am struggling with school, I need to acknowledge that my disability gives me grit and determination. I have learned that it is not something to be ashamed of, but to be proud of.

Even when I am struggling with school, I need to acknowledge that my disability gives me grit and determination.

Q & A

Tell us something fun or unique about you

I love hanging out with my dog Tank and my adorable, scruffy pigs (especially Pig Mama, who’s a great leader and loves belly scratches!). I have Irish heritage and love travelling to see my family overseas.

Favourite subject or activity at school

Definitely sport and music—I even got an A+ on my music exam.

Hobbies and interests

Playing tennis, running almost every day, eating, sleeping, and spending time with my pets.

Something you’re proud of

I’ve achieved better grades and improved in sports, and I’m proud of how much progress I’ve made.

Has anything/anyone helped you enjoy reading & writing more?

Yes, getting support through multi-sensory structured language and help from my parents and some amazing teachers.

What do you wish teachers or classmates better understood?

How much harder it is for me, and that not everyone knows how to do things straight away—structure and support make a big difference.

What do you dream of doing when you grow up?

My dream is to be a professional tennis player, but I’d also love to travel to Bali with my mum and her sister.

Darcy Byrne

Extracts from Dystinct Magazine