Madelyn
Location: Massachusetts
Age: 18
Biography: Madelyn is a writer, aspiring researcher, and Broadway nerd with a longtime fascination with the intricacies of why people do the things they do. Diagnosed with NVLD as a teen, she spent the better part of her life running with the masses without ever quite getting the social memo. She hopes to help others find the words and associated community she spent 17 years searching for. Outside of ND advocacy, you can most likely find her skateboarding, memorizing her lines, pursuing Public Health projects, listening to her first love, Billie Joe Armstrong, or with her nose in a good book.
- What motivated you to become a Social Ambassador for the NVLD Project?
While my own diagnosis certainly whetted my interest in NVLD and its place in 21st-century policy, it ultimately gave me the words to relay the experiences that I had been unable to contextualize for the better part of my K-12 career… and has also left me with the question of those who never get this invaluable context. As a student born and bred in suburban MA, I’m aware I’ve had access to a number of resources that others simply don’t, and digging into school-psychologist-to-student ratios across socioeconomic lines has only furthered my curiosity around the roles of one-on-one services and early diagnosis in the lives of those with these conditions. I am also intrigued by current (mainly NYSPI-based) studies and want to share the constant progress being made, moving past the frustration of “We still have a lot to learn” into the findings that make this such a fascinating time to study NVLD.
- What advice would you give to others living with NVLD?
However cliché it may seem, ASK FOR HELP, even when the reality of admitting you’re stuck is a thousand times more horrific than spending 3+ hours attempting to Mike-Tyson the answer out of something independently (ask me how I know). Advocate for the support you need (even if you’re a bit unsure as to what “support” looks like), and share your experiences when comfortable; you never know who might see a piece of themselves in your stories. Also, worth noting that the internet is a magical place, with tutorials for everything from solving quadratic equations to parallel parking. Watch all the Khan Academy tutorials you need without fear of cheating, and you’ll figure it all out as you go. After all, no one ever got a gold star and a pinch on the cheek for making something unnecessarily difficult for themselves in the name of “independence.”
