Proven Ways to Overcome Challenges and Succeed
Curator’s Notes: The narrative illustrates the author’s journey of overcoming significant challenges, including being diagnosed with learning disabilities and facing homelessness. Despite early setbacks, the author’s hard work, supported by loving parents and dedicated teachers, led to academic success, including graduating high school early and attending college. Life’s difficulties continued into adulthood, but with resilience and the support of a caring spouse, the author transitioned from instability to finding fulfillment in writing. Central to the message is the belief that obstacles are opportunities for growth and that perseverance, self-belief, and hard work are crucial for achieving one’s dreams, regardless of circumstances. This story was written by Lawson Wallace, a writer, editor, podcaster, and YouTuber.
Work hard, and don’t let them drag you down
There are so many places where I can start this story. I will start at the beginning. If “Obstacles are there to make you work harder,” I am destined to triumph from the day I was born. When I was a small child, the doctor told my parents I was “Brain-damaged.”
I bet they were heartbroken with both diagnoses
I can imagine what my parents were thinking when I was nine or ten years old and diagnosed with Dyslexia. I had a lot stacked against me. Both my parents were stubborn and hard-working people. I got those traits from them.
I triumphed over the challenges at school by working hard in my Special Ed classes. I needed to attend remedial classes. The drawback was that I was in classes where I didn’t seem to fit in.
It took a while to learn to read and write, but now I’m a good reader
The first time I triumphed over adversity was when I learned how to tie my shoes. I remember crying in frustration as my mom held back tears and encouraged me as best she could. I remember writing backward. I still can’t do math.
The second triumph was learning to read and write. My handwriting is terrible, but I was reading at a college level before I entered high school a year early. I felt like I conquered the world the night I walked across the stage to receive my Diploma.
Adulthood has been a challenge, and that’s not a bad thing
Life has a way of knocking people down when they think they have made it. Adulthood was a series of knockdowns for me. I wasn’t able to move out to be on my own until after my parents died.
Eight years after I sold my dad’s house and moved into my own home, I was homeless. I met so many homeless people who had been homeless for years. A lot of them are still on the streets. I was fortunate.
I owe my wife everything, she got me out of that life
I was able to get out of that life. My mind and body are still scared. I have been away from that life for six years. I’m still dealing with the hurt. I didn’t get through any of these challenges alone.
I have read many stories of people with Learning challenges who had it rougher than it needed to be. Their teachers and their parents didn’t understand. My parents had my back. I wish the doctors hadn’t labeled me as being “ Brain Damaged.”
Good teachers and parents who loved me, I couldn’t have done it without them.
Mom and Dad took that to heart and were enablers. They were human and did the best they could. I know they would be proud of me for surviving and thriving. I was fortunate to have some good school teachers as well.
I’m grateful for the teachers at the school at Fort Richardson in Alaska. I learned how to read there when I was in elementary school. Books have saved my sanity and have shown me so many possibilities.
I made it through high school with a Diploma. The “Brain Damaged” kid who would never amount to anything went on to attend Junior Colleges. I still can’t do math. As an adult, after many failed attempts to keep a job or learn a trade, I became a security guard.
I wasn’t thrilled to be a security guard, but I loved being employed
For the first time in my adult life, I was an employed person for an extended period. The doctors told my parents that I would need to be institutionalized. Years later, a Doctor in Minneapolis said the same thing.
As I write this, I’m at my desk in an apartment I’m renting. I’m married and happy. I’m on disability, but I discovered writing. I’m successful in doing what I enjoy doing. I would not have anything if I had quit.
“Obstacles are there to make you work harder”
Randy Pausch
Every few years, I watch “The Last Lecture” on YouTube. The phrase “Obstacles are there to make you work harder,” is something I will never forget. I face the roadblocks and keep on going.
You’re going to face challenges. There will be obstacles. Your family will doubt your abilities. You can’t let them drag you down. Some people don’t want you to succeed. You have to have a dream and you have to focus on it.
You will work harder than other people, but the rewards are worth it
You will have to work harder than other people. Don’t be like I was at one time. I was bitter because my brothers were successful. Don’t focus on other people. Run your race. Find what is burning in your heart and go for it.
It might take you longer, and you might not get there. Giving your all and failing is better than never trying. At least you will know you gave it your best. Don’t die with regrets. Rise above the labels any way you can.
Final Thought:
Life is hard. For people like us who have challenges, it’s harder. We know life is hard. We learned that young. We also learned we will have to work harder. Embrace that. Work harder than everyone else.
Have a dream when you’re young and never lose sight of it and work your butt off. Life is too short. It’s better to have a dream and a goal. You can rise above the challenges if you keep the faith.
Belief Is Powerful, How You Talk to Yourself Matters
Don’t fill your mind with liesmedium.com
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Lawson Wallace is a writer and YouTuber. He specializes in Resumes, cover letters, blog posts, and emails. lawsonwallacewrites@outlook.com
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