Friends of Quinn

It may sound funny, but I can’t say I ever really thought a lot about my dyslexia having any effect on my relationships. Friendship or dating-wise I am fortunate to have really good experiences. Growing up, my circle of friends all knew about my dyslexia and my most serious girlfriend in high school came from that same group of friends. My relationship with my family was always great because they knew what they were working with.

In junior high, when my dyslexia was first having a real effect on my learning, I remember thinking maybe girls wouldn’t like me if they thought I wasn’t smart or if they saw me going to the learning support room. I was pretty shy at that time if I was out of my comfort zone but I also realized that the girl/boy thing was torture for all of my friends too during those early teen years. To avoid awkard moments I always made sure there was something I knew how to read or pronounce on the menu when I went out. I was not an adventurous orderer. A hamburger, spaghetti or pizza would do.

Later in high school and college, I used my abundance of charm and good looks, to win the ladies over. My mom says it was because I am such a nice boy and the girl’s and their mom’s could tell. Whatever! I was also always a prankster and liked to joke around. I’m sure that was a way to deflect any uncomfortable situations.

Now, I have traveled all over the world and I have met tons of people. I don’t find it necessary to hide my LD and I’ve learned so many ways to compensate. There are even phone apps that can help with pronunciations and definitions (as well as foreign language help.) I seriously relied on those abroad since I have a hard enough time with English!

I’ve learned that there are times when it's not important to let the world know of my dyslexia, it doesn’t always come into play. When it does, I am honest and proud of all I have accomplished regardless of my LD. So I’d like to think that any future relationships, of the serious kind, will certainly be filled with honesty and understanding and hopefully someone who can handle the big words on the menu.