On Being 17, Bright, and Unable to Read by David Raymond

            When I first started reading David Raymond’s essay “On Being 17, Bright, and Unable to Read”, I first thought he was a problem child that was out to defy the substitute teacher by refusing to read.  After reading further Raymond goes into a brief account of his reading struggles and how he learned to live with Dyslexia.  Raymond associated his reading success with having friends and even wished for the other kids to like him on his birthday when he blew out the candles.  His candid account of his progress and therapy is admirable because it gives the reader some insight into what people, especially children, go through when they have a learning disorder.  It’s clear that Raymond always knew that his disease made him different as he was the only kid going to a child psychiatrist in elementary school therefore his parents sent him to a camp for kids with learning disabilities which Raymond enjoyed.  My guess is that he felt like he was amongst kindred spirits and was able to relax and not have his guard up since he was made fun of so much growing up.  In brief, Raymond learned to except his disability, learn about others like him such as Einstein, and write this essay to help us understand him.