What message does Samantha's
autobiography give us?
Answers
Answer:
Samantha Abeel was a bright child who had a gift with language, yet struggled with simple math problems. As she grew older, the disparity grew wider. An excellent poet and writer, she could not tell time or even calculate simple addition or subtraction. Though signs of a learning disability were present throughout her childhood, she struggled with feelings of failure until at thirteen she was finally diagnosed with a learning disability called dyscalculia. On the verge of collapse from panic attacks, she suddenly understood what was wrong. Now she could focus on developing her gifts and compensating for her weaknesses in a positive and constructive way. It was the beginning of regaining control of her life.
Samantha Abeel was a bright child who had a gift with language, yet struggled with simple math problems. As she grew older, the disparity grew wider. An excellent poet and writer, she could not tell time or even calculate simple addition or subtraction. Though signs of a learning disability were present throughout her childhood, she struggled with feelings of failure until at thirteen she was finally diagnosed with a learning disability called dyscalculia. On the verge of collapse from panic attacks, she suddenly understood what was wrong. Now she could focus on developing her gifts and compensating for her weaknesses in a positive and constructive way. It was the beginning of regaining control of her life.It was a seventh grade English teacher who helped Samantha focus on her writing skills. He began to critique what would become her first book of poetry, Reach for the Moon. Published when she was only 15 years old, Reach for the Moon won the 1994 Margot Marek Award for the best book on the subject of learning disabilities given by the New York Branch of the Orton Dyslexia Society. The book also won the Distinguished Book Award from the International Reading Association, and was names a Best Book for the Teen Age by the New York Public Library.