I had suspected dyslexia since she was three—delayed speech, frequent ear infections, and clumsiness were early signs. Yet, we had to wait until Grade 3 for formal assessment due to standard practices in public schools. Once diagnosed, we committed to intensive, structured literacy interventions. Within a year, she caught up, but the ardous journey continued.

Dyslexia remains a lifelong challenge. But Mara's strengths—deep thinking, creativity, discipline and emotional intelligence—shine brightly. By Grade 8, after mastering assistive technology and self-advocacy, she excelled academically, graduating with Honours and receiving awards for Tenacity and Excellence in English Language for the class of 2024. She was the only one in her class with three distinctions.