I wanted to share my first blog post for the NVLD Project, as their NVLD Ambassador My name is Laura, and I was diagnosed with Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD) when I was 14. I’m now 38! I am very much a perfectionist and ambitious, and chose from the time of my diagnosis that I “didn’t have anything wrong with me.”
As a result of this thinking, I was able to achieve what some may have said the “unachievable” with an NVLD diagnosis. I went on to hold a BA Honours, an MSc, an MBA, a QTS, and a PGCE, and become a professional tennis coach.
Through sheer hard work and determination, I am a quadrilingual (French, Spanish, Modern Greek & English). Following my BA and MSc I was determined to work internationally and was one of 10,000 applicants selected to work for the United Nations in project management in Geneva, Switzerland.
From there went on to work in Burkina Faso, West Africa, and global logistical companies in London, UK. I would not have been able to achieve all I had done without an immensely supportive family, fabulous friends behind me, and a loving husband, cheering me on when I tripped up or needed a time out.
At 38, after some mental health issues and lots of therapy, I have finally been able to accept my NVLD superpower and formally disclose it in my working environment as a language and SEN teacher. My world has opened up as a result, and I now have funding for work adjustments through the UK government.
I am now also able to openly share through my language tutoring business that I have NVLD, and I am proud of it! By embarking on this journey as an NVLD Ambassador for the NVLD project, I hope my story will bring strength and confidence to those young individuals who have been diagnosed with NVLD.
It is not an easy journey, and we have to work 5x harder than most people, but whatever you do, do not give up! You have been given a gift, by having the NVLD superpower – use it to your advantage! Believe in YOU! @thenvldproject #nvldproject #nvldambassador.
Laura
My name is Laura and I was diagnosed with NVLD when I was 14. I am now 38! It has taken a long time to get to this point in my life where I recognize my NVLD as a superpower and not a hindrance. I hope to make a real difference by being an NVLD Ambassador for the NVLD project.
