My Success Story by Mandy Berger

My name is Mandy Berger. I am 22 years old and I have had learning difficulties that were first recognized in Grade One. My problems were with reading, writing and math, as well as comprehension. With a lot of help from my mom and my special education teachers by my side, helping me with my school work, hours on end, throughout my school years I was able to graduate from high school in 1994. I have been very lucky to have had a great part time job that I worked at during school at the Keswick Public Library. That job ended when I finished school. After that, I went to work in a company that made medical supplies. That was only temporary, as I was filling in for someone who was away on a leave of absence. Later, I found a job with a family in the neighbourhood looking after children, including one who had a severe disability himself. I found this rewarding but this job ended after they moved away from town. While I was without a job at this time I became very negative and worried myself into thinking that there was no hope for me, and that I would not be able to find a good job. I kept thinking, who would want someone like me, who couldn't read, write or spell very well. I kept looking in the newspaper anyway but because of my disabilities and not having my driver's license I found it a lot harder for me.

I felt that I was the only one with a learning disability and pretty much alone. I would see commercials on the T.V. about people like me that didn't know how to read or write like everyone else and they found help. I began to think that there must be more help for me too. I started to look around town and in the phone book and found under LEARN a title that said "Helping people learn" I thought that there are people out there willing to help and that you are not alone. So I made that call in my town and I started in May of 1997 at the Learning Centre in Georgina.

I began with an English course, reading, writing or just talking with my tutor. All of the great staff that work at the centre made me feel like I could do anything. I really want to thank my tutor and the staff at the learning centre for getting me on my feet again and by asking me to write my goals down on paper and help me to understand what I wanted to achieve in the future. They helped me face my fears because, I had thought that I could never do this because of my learning disability. This helped me to get a summer job at a private Golf Course. This job involved me being on my own a lot. I was cooking, clearing tables, waiting tables, counting change and doing a bit of everything. And you know what, people liked my work. This made me feel so great. I received a lot of praise and encouragement from the learning centre and my family. Not only did I get the job, I did a great job. Unfortunately, it was only a summer job, so it ended in the fall, but I didn't stop there. Knowing what I faced, looking for another job and such, I stayed at the learning centre and set another goal. I wanted to learn how to drive. With my tutor's help, we studied the driver's handbook, month after month. Then one day I surprised everyone. I secretly went a wrote my test for a learner's permit. Not only did I pass, I got 90%. I was so happy and proud of myself. I am very happy to say that I have achieved a lot of my goals and know that I will always have more to learn.

I want to thank those who helped me at the centre and have them know that their help was greatly appreciated.

I have now started a full time job with a family in town with two children. One child has special needs and I have grown very fond other. I am able to understand and teach this child in a way that perhaps others can't. One day I hope she finds out that you can reach for the stars just as I did.

I feel very honoured to nominated for this award and thankful that I can believe that I can do a lot of things if I just get out there and try.

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