December 2004 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

it: “Because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be
made strong” (Ether 12:37).
A little girl named Jackie faced a devastating weakness
that deeply affected her life—an inability to read. For
years she experienced daily rejection and humiliation.
She said, “I was in second grade, and already I knew
I was dumb. I just didn’t ever really catch on to reading.”
Day after day and year after year the humiliation
continued. Jackie said, “I was either told directly I was
stupid or was asked, ‘Haven’t I already told you that a
thousand times?’ ” She was labeled “lazy” and “a daydreamer.”
Comments like these, she said, “caused me
such emotional stress that it was like having a curtain
drawn across my mind.” Being called upon to read
aloud in class was excruciating. “Even when I knew the
words, I could not say them,” she recalled. “Tears would
well up in my eyes and blur the page.”
Soon Jackie learned to cover for her weakness or avoid
situations that would reveal her dreaded secret. When she
and her friends visited the local library, she followed their
lead in checking out popular mystery books. But even
though she carried the books home, she could never read
them or join in her friends’ lively discussions about the
characters and plots. She also found herself failing nearly
every subject in school. Finally, at age 15, she decided to
drop out of school and get married.
This decision could have led to more serious problems
and a permanent detour from learning. Instead, through
the loving, ongoing encouragement of her husband, the
watchful care of the Lord, and her own determination,
things began to change. “My husband has been my lifesaver,”
she explained. “He always treated me like I was
the smartest person he ever saw.” Many years later, this
mother of eight children graduated from high school—
one year before her eldest daughter.
Jackie continued her education beyond high school, but
each day was a struggle. “I cried every day, it was so hard,” she
said. Her husband gave her priesthood blessings, and a daughter
tutored her in algebra, leaving her little notes of encouragement.
In faith, Jackie turned to the Lord and prayed for His
help. Finally, after years of effort, she received a college degree
at age 50. Her weakness ultimately became a great strength as
she pursued a career path that became a great blessing to others
also struggling to read. The little girl who once thought
she was too dumb to read now directs a statewide program
that helps children with reading difficulties. 2
ENSIGN DECEMBER 2004 29
ILLUSTRATED BY STEVE KROPP