In third grade, my teachers met with my mother to discuss my unachievements in academics, particularly reading, writing, and spelling. “Mary, we asked you to come to discuss Jonnathan’s struggles,” one teacher explained. “We believe your son may be retarded, as evident by his struggles in reading, writing, and spelling.”
My mother looked at me to translate and found my head hung low in shame. Looking up with tears, I translated what my teacher shared.
“Jonnathan is a very sweet kid and a joy to have in class,” another teacher added while rubbing my back. “We just love his personality, and he always befriends classmates who don’t have friends. Always, trying to make them feel included.”
They asked my mother if they could administer a few tests to determine the severity of my “retardation.” I was born in 1979, and in the mid-1980s, the term retard was still an acceptable word to use. My mother agreed to their request to assess me, and a few weeks later, I went through a series of tests, reading, writing, spelling, and spoken tests. And they discovered that I wasn’t retarded as they suspected, but severely dyslexic. They also found that I was learning at a college level when taught verbally and with images and only struggled with reading comprehension, writing, and spelling. In the 1980s, the teachers were not as equipped to work with children with dyslexia, but they gave my mother the option of keeping me in the standard classroom or moving me to a classroom for children with “special needs.”
My mother wisely opted to keep me with children without special needs and instructed me to work harder. Sadly, no matter how hard I worked, my struggles continued throughout my adolescence and into high school.
CATALYSTS
If I ask you to name a teacher who catalyzes your success, someone may come to mind. In my junior year, I took the TAAS test, a state-mandated exam required to be passed for graduation, which ended in 2002. Historically, I did well in the math sections but failed the reading and writing sections. That year, I was particularly nervous when the results were released because my graduation hinged on its results. In my biology class, I approached my teacher and asked her for my results, sharing that I feared I would fail. She looked at me and said, “Jonnathan, why would you think you failed? You’re a genius. Honestly, you’re probably one of my all-time smartest students. You passed my class with a B without studying; you memorize what I teach in class.” Surprised by her assessment, I shrugged and explained that I had consistently failed the reading and writing section. “No way, Jonnathan,” the teacher said. “Let’s take a look.”
With that, she held up a ruler, found my name, and laughed while slapping my shoulder, “You mastered every section, Jonnathan! I don’t know who convinced you that you were stupid, but they were wrong.” Even after receiving the news, I asked to see my results. She covered the results of my other classmates and showed me. And she was right!
Suddenly, I realized at that moment that I may not be a “retard” as my elementary teachers labeled me and that I may be smart.
EUREKA
In college, I learned how to study. I realized that I learned differently than the average person and that I learned audibly and with touch. Even with my dyslexia, I was surprisingly an outstanding typist, typing at 70-90 words per minute without a mistake. Realizing that I learned differently, I started recording my professors’ lectures in my second year of college, and then I transcribed them all, typing out their spoken words, word by word. Next, I would type out chapters of my textbook. The combination of audible and tactile input helped me to eventually excel in class.
THE GOD MOMENT
In 2003, my senior year of college, I found myself suddenly healed of dyslexia after encountering God. My discovery happened as two young women sharing God with me opened the Bible to John 14:6 and asked me to read it out loud. As my hands instantly became clammy and anxiety gripped me, I looked down at the page and read, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” I read the verse with no pauses and without any struggles. I recall thinking, “How on earth am I reading? And, how am I reading out loud?” This experience propelled me on a journey for knowledge as I voraciously read through the Bible and then read books and websites about topics I long hungered for.
Today, I am an owner of two flourishing companies, Zin Design Studio and God Manifest Publishing; I’ve published two books, Sandy: Arise and Shine, my first children’s book, and Buddhists, Mormons & Jesus, my autobiography, sharing how I encountered the love of God, was healed of childhood trauma and dyslexia and was instantly used by Jesus to lead a group of Mormons out of Mormonism and to their salvation. Also, I’m an award-winning copywriter, graphic designer, and website developer, all because God healed me and spoke truth through a teacher in high school. Lastly, I’m a pastor and Christian speaker invited to travel the world and throughout the United States, preaching and teaching the Word of God and sharing my personal journey to and with Him.
I share this chapter of my journey today to encourage you to believe. Believe that God has handcrafted you to do more. Believe that the labels from teachers, leaders, family, and friends that do not align with God’s labels do not matter. You are precious and powerful, and all things are possible with God. May you become the catalyst who speaks life and God’s identity to someone who has lost their way and their identity.
If you would like to learn more details about my “God Moment,” click the link below:
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