Silence and a lack of action took place for what seemed like months but one day after school my mother picked me up and took me to this big building in Murray Utah that had no familiar look like a Dr. office. On the drive she said we found a Dr that is going to help you with reading and writing. Once we entered I wasn't greeted by a man wearing a write coat but rather a Mister Rogers looking sweater and similar friendly smile. The next hour I never heard the words can't, this will be hard, you're not smart. Those words came internally from my own voice. What I did hear is, we are going to work at this three times a week and at first you might struggle a little bit but everyone here is going to help. He moved back so I could see through a glass window a room with about a dozen kids and three adults each sitting in front of a box that looked like a tv.

 

 

We entered the room and everyone had headphones on and was glued staring at the big box... This was my first time seeing a computer. This was back in the day when homes did not have computers, only fancy offices. I gulp now saying this, because it dates me and it's also an odd feeling to recall a time when we didn't have computers or phones that did everything.

 

 

I went to this place three times a week and I learned how to read correctly. I also learned what dyslexia was and that it was not a learning disability but I learned and processed words, letters and numbers differently and sometimes the lines of communication between what I saw and what my brain took in got crossed. In the following years I also learned that some of the greatest scientists, authors, mathematicians, entrepreneurs, artists and musicians were also Dyslexic and I was in great company!

 

 

I was taught daily 'you can be anything you want as long as you put your mind to it'! I have. I've been in law, owned a salon, became a makeup artist, and learned photography. I have owned 4 successful photography studios in four different states. I have failed. I have fallen. I have been lost. I have thought about leaving my camera behind. Life is real and it can be messy. In the struggles I was being shaped for something bigger and every time I could see I was building a stronger foundation and being reminded of that kid that could not hear for 3 years that could not read or write for most of my school years. That did not break me.. it built me to be stronger!

 

 

I understand what a business or brand needs in images and video content more because of this. I base everything off what we cant see but on what we FEEL! We are human beings looking for emotional connection. We buy books, watch movies, TV shows and listen to music because we want to feel something. Our favorite outfit, accessories make us feel something. Our favorite drink, car or shoes. There is an emotional connection to everything but we can never forget our story. That is the foundation to what we do and why we do. It is the foundation we make the connection with others. So I ask you... What is your story?