In 2006, Kari Bucholz found herself dealing with her young son’s learning issues. After discovering that Haley suffered from dyslexia, Bucholz realized that the Red River Valley did not have the services to assist her family, forcing them to travel outside of North Dakota to find help. Over the past seven years, Bucholz has made it her mission to see that other individuals do not hit the same roadblocks, eventually using the education and knowledge she had gained to start “Haley’s Hope,” a dyslexia screening and consulting firm in West Fargo. “If I can take what I have learned, and continue to learn, to help others, it will make life so much easier for those children and adults living with dyslexia,” she said.
What is Dyslexia?
“Dyslexia is NOT seeing letters backwards or lack of motivation,” explained Tracy Dunham, a Certified Tutor at Haley’s Hope, “nor is it something that one can out grow or that can be helped by reading more to your child.” According to a Yale study, one in five people (both children and adults) suffer from some form of dyslexia. In addition, it is estimated that seventy to eight-five percent of children with learning disabilities are dyslexic. Dyslexia is an inherited condition what makes it extremely difficult to read, write, and spell,” Dunham explained, “despite at least average intelligence.”
Dyslexia (Dys = “difficulty with” and Lexia = “language”) affects one’s oral speech, auditory processing, reading, and written expression. It can be difficult to spot because individuals with dyslexia often perform extremely well in other areas. Bucholz wants to be clear, however, that a dyslexia diagnosis does not have to be a negative. “Dyslexia has it challenges, but it also gives those living with it great gifts,” she said. “We need to help unlock those gifts, allowing these individuals the freedom to become who they really are, educationally and socially.”
The Face of Dyslexia:
For Rhonda Kelly, a successful Account Manager at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Dakota, her dyslexia diagnosis was met with mixed emotions. “I have always known I was a terrible writer,” she said, “but when my boss told me I needed to improve my writing performance, I knew I needed to do something.” A chance discussion with Bucholz at a book club session led Kelly to Haley’s Hope and the realization that she was severely dyslexic. After almost eight months of tutoring, the hard work is beginning to yield results. “I had to go all the way back to the beginning and relearn things,” she said, “but this is the first time anyone has ever taught me how to break down words.”
Kelly’s diagnosis also allowed her to see warning signs in her son, Devon. “I learned that dyslexia is hereditary,” she said. “I could tell that he had it.” Devon has been participating in tutoring sessions at Haley’s Hope since last spring. “My grades in English class have gone up a full grade,” he said. “It’s much easier to spell and sound out words now,” adding that he believes it is the one-on-one atmosphere that helps him the most. Devon has also seen an improvement in other areas of academics. “It (the program) has taught me learning skills and helped me collect information,” he explained. “Now when the teacher gives us something to work on, I am usually one of the first ones done.”
What is Haley’s Hope?
Haley’s Hope provides consultations, screenings, tutoring, assistive technology, and 504/IEP meeting for accommodations in the school setting. “We do a lot of work in advocacy,” Dunham explained, “on how to navigate the world of dyslexia and make parents and the child strong advocates for the way he/she learns.” Haley’s Hope also does educational speaking on “Could it be Dyslexia,” “Experience Dyslexia,” and “Solutions for Dyslexia.” For Dunham, it is the one-on-one tutoring services, however, that hold a special place in her heart. “I love that what we are doing is changing lives of individuals and their families,” she said. “After tutoring a child for a few months, he said to me, ‘I can read the books in my room now.’ That is something I will never forget.”
Haley’s Hope has come a long way in a very short time. What started out as one mother’s desire to help her son and others like him has evolved into a respite for numerous families around the Red River Valley. “My initial desire to provide a resource for other families has evolved into an all-encompassing Center for Dyslexia,” Bucholz explained. “The desperate need from families that have struggled for years with no help has required me to look at encompassing the WHOLE individual, showing them tools for long-term success in life.”
Rhonda and Devon urge those in need of help to contact Haley’s Hope. “It is the biggest gift you can give yourself or your children,” Rhonda said. “My whole life I thought I was stupid or less than, but its something that can be overcome with a little time and effort.” “It doesn’t mean you’re stupid,” Devon added. When it comes to recognizing the signs, Bucholz recommends that parents simply trust their instincts. “You know your child best; you know their strengths and you see where they fall,” she said. “Does that grade or mark on their paper reflect who they really are? Could it be dyslexia?”
It Takes Everyone:
Haley’s Hope needs the help of the entire community to combat misconceptions and educate the public. “Overcoming dyslexia for all the children and adults in our region is bigger than me, Haley’s Hope, individual school systems, physicians, and anyone who works with this learning difference,” Bucholz explained. “While Haley’s Hope will continue to be dedicated to doing what WE can do, the future of getting a handle on dyslexia is in the hands of our community as a whole.”
Those interested in learning more about dyslexia or scheduling a consultation can call Haley’s Hope at 701-373-0397 or visit www.haleyshope.org for more information.
