Harry Potter and the dyslexic little girl

[Vanessa]

When I was just 6 years old my sister read Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone to me. She was 9 at the time, and already an eager fan, awaiting the next book. I actually didn't want her to read them to me, I really put up quite a stink. I got it in my head that Harry Potter was stupid, even babyish. I think it was probably because, by that point, I had started to become more aware of the world around me, and I realized that I was the only one of my age who could not reed, I was probably jealous. I had started to realize that I was being left behind, that was probably the point when I began hating libraries. I still can't stand them! So, my sister read book 1 to me, and every time she put the bookmark in it and said "OK, enough for today" I would say " nooooo!! Please? Just a little more?" And so it went on for many weeks. Eventually we finished book 1, and I started begging her to reed me book 2, that won being considerably longer, she said that she would not, I was pretty much devastated, how was I ever going to get any further in the series, I knew I couldn't read them. One day while I was at the bookstore (which I also hate) with my Grammy, I saw a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone on audio, I had never dreamed up such a fantastic thing! When I saw it, I obviously wanted to buy it right away! Unfortunately my Grammy, who's really quite closed minded, racist, homophobic and a ton of other "ists". she didn't want me to get the book, as a matter of fact she told me I couldn't get it. We've never gotten along very well.
When I went home, I declared to my mother that it was unfair, I should be able to do whatever I want with my money. The next yule in a box wrapped in blue paper were Harry potter's 1 and 3 on audio, I couldn't have been more thrilled! The very next chance I got I went to the library, and tried to get out book 2, they didn't have it on audio, so I skipped directly to book 3. And that is when I first truly started enjoying the magic of Harry potter!

My life was changed. I read books 1 through 5 (6 and 7 Weren't out yet) watched movies 1 through 3, and decided for sure that this community was definitely for me!
Although, I still could not read, so my participation in the fandom was very limited. I listened to mugglecast religiously, getting my only Harry Potter news from Andrew, Matt, Mikey B, Jamie, Ben, Lora and the rest of the crew. They were literally my only connection to the fandom aspect of Harry Potter.
Everything changed last them one year ago, when my parents got me this computer with technology to help me read and write. I plunged in headfirst! And now I am here! I consider myself so fortunate every day I can turn on my computer, and check my e-mail, for so many years I didn't have that. It is a triumph to be celebrated if I can read a road sign.
Harry Potter has not only opened the door to a wide world of audio books, but I, like the rest of you have really learned some great lessons from it!
I still have not actually "read" a single one of the Harry Potter books, I've only ever heard Jim Dale's interpretation, but now I have an entire community behind me, and it has given me the strength to tell people "I can't read that!" And not feel like bursting into tears every time the subject comes up.

[Katy_Black]

This is awesome that hp was able to help you. :D

[Hope Mullinax]

This is such a wonderful blog post! It's heart felt and touching. You, my friend, are quite talented.