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WHY AM I NOT HEARING YOU?
Why would I hate someone without knowing their name? In this memoir, I take you on a journey with eyes of empathy to help fight prejudice around us.
Two powerful women who primed my life are my mother, Barbara Griffin, until two days before my 9th birthday, and Addie Wyatt as my loving mentor from the age of 19 until 66 years old. Who would have thought I would grow up - not questioning why there is a difference between two races with different skin tones. I thought it was just everyday living, even though I lived in an all-white neighborhood. I was raised without the red flags of prejudice and hate with my mother’s friends and a father with Appalachian roots supporting of my mother having close Black companions. I don’t mean to give the impression that I lived in a bubble without a world of prejudice. There was plenty of hate around with some family members, friends, and strangers who walked into my life.
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Who’s Smart and Still Can’t Read?
My Experience with Vision and Learning Disability
AT A GLANCE:
• People who might benefit from a referral to neuro-optometry may include athletes after a concussion, adults with whiplash after a car accident, elderly people with balance issues, or seemingly healthy children who are struggling in school.
• More than 50% of patients with traumatic brain injury have eye-tracking and ocular teaming difficulties.
• Adding a brief neuro-optometric screening to the comprehensive eye examination and asking patients a few questions can help identify people who might benefit from a referral.
SEE THERESE ON THE LOCAL NEWS
ARE You HEaring Me? Tell ME BEFORe I DIe
Note to Self
Hello Child of God,
I know you are saying ‘What?’ Your Wisdom at age nine years, tells you to fasten your seatbelt – we are going for a ride. Two days before your 9th birthday Mama goes to her heavenly home. You will not understand words from grandma 'if your mother didn't have you later in life at age 38 yrs, she would still be alive today. What did that mean? How did I make my mother die? Mom didn't die in childbirth! A teacher words in grade school ‘sit down - you can’t read.’ I know the subject – I can’t pass a written exam. My grades were C-D-F’s. I started my road to alcoholism at 18 yrs. You will realize that you are trapped in Grandmother’s web with her nonexistent grieving process and anger with grandfather’s alcoholism. You will have a Learning Disability that no-one understands. A new day will begin at 29 years, in a strange world of recovery. You change: What do you expect from a Dummy? I’m only a factory worker. You know I Can’t Read! You will change ‘I Can’t to Yes, I Can.’ Insights of my Special Accommodations before it was a coined phrase to receive a BA/MA and AZ Licensed Addiction Counselor. At 70 yrs, you will learn the concept of Vision Tracking Disability. The first time that you will read a book, not on CD. Beginning with a dream to come true writing your Memoir. The most significant gift became changing your Attitude to Gratitude.
Peace and All Good,
Therese
Note to Self – Sent to Gail King Contest April 2018
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Therese has written a beautiful memoir depicting her road as she meanders through life. I would only hope to be one-quarter of the woman she has become. I recommend this book to everyone. Her words are truly the language of the heart.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A fascinating book about a woman’s journey through life overcoming many obstacles along the way. She did it using her innate strengths and trust in God.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A compelling story of a woman’s journey through life, overcoming the heartbreak of losing her mom at an early age and struggling with an undiagnosed learning disability. All this is set against the backdrop of widely accepted social prejudices in the decades preceding the 21st century. It is ultimately a story of love and light and courage.”
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It is well written, a fine, as in VERY FINE, sharing of your reflections of your life and relational experiences... You are a good storyteller. You are a brilliantly creative adapter of life’s hardships and fears and limitations into grace, strength, love, empowerment of others, and power to invite others to be their best selves.”
Therese M. Griffin | Author, MA, AZ-LISAC
AZ Banner Medical Center PRN Chaplain; retired from Arizona Department of Adult and Juvenile Corrections as Chaplain and Addiction Counselor, Youth Program Officer III and Youth Correctional Officer II. As a young adult, Therese worked at Libby’s Foods Factory 21 years on production lines, apprentice mechanic, Quality Control and UFCW Union Labor Leadership of Local 247-P as President, Financial Secretary, Employee Assistance Program, and the Negotiation Team. As a child, she would dream of becoming a writer of the Western days. She didn’t understand the struggle with reading in grade and high school with C’s, D’s, F’s. Vision Tracking Reading Disability was unknown to her.
Therese is a member of The Society of Southwestern Authors and an Associate (Lay) member with the Joliet Franciscan Sisters. She is “comfortable walking on any street in all city neighborhoods and on country roads.” Where there is a need, she tries her best to be supportive. Her most cherished gifts are her three adopted, loving grandchildren who call her Nana.
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THERESE M. GRIFFIN, MA, LISAC