Back to School '23, Interlude Episode 3: Growing up with dyslexia with Kareem Weaver, Margaret Malaika Weaver, and Elijah Valencia

In this episode, in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, we highlight Kareem Weaver's daughter Margaret "Margo" and nephew Elijah—both of whom learned they had dyslexia later in their young lives. After many struggles in school, Margo was diagnosed with dyslexia in high school. Meanwhile, Elijah was diagnosed with dyslexia only while he was incarcerated. Margo and Elijah discuss the impact of their diagnoses. Meanwhile, Kareem reflects on their stories and shares lessons learned for families and caregivers. Margo and Elijah also share their advice for educators and other young people about types of dyslexia.

Show notes:

• Listen: Kareem Weaver’s first interview with Susan: What it takes to be a literacy education changemaker.
• Listen: Kareem Weaver’s most recent podcast appearance: The Right to Read: live from Plain Talk
• Much more on dyslexia: Listen to S7E7 with Dr. Tim Odegard and S7E9 with Dr. Sally Shaywitz
• Documentary: The Right to Read
• Website: FULCRUM (Full and Complete Reading is a Universal Mandate)
• Read: How dyslexia diagnosis changed a Bay Area high school softball player’s life

Quotes:

"It made me realize I wasn't the problem; something was wrong with me. I just had a little bump in the road that was making it just a little bit harder for me." —Margo Weaver

"It shouldn't take having to go to jail to get what you need to learn how to read. That's the bottom of it." —Kareem Weaver

"Just try to take a deep breath in and ask questions." —Elijah Valencia

"Even when they were trying to help me ... it's like they were expecting me to be learning at everybody else's pace." —Elijah Valencia

"Real talk as a parent: We got to own up to stuff." —Kareem Weaver

"When a kid can't read and life gets a hold of you, it's a life cycle. Next thing you know, you find yourself in situatins that you never would have imagined." —Kareem Weaver

"Most parents are overwhelmed and they need an ally in the building." —Kareem Weaver

"I just wish somebody kind of sat with me and told me that I wasn't stupid and that I was okay." —Margo Weaver