S3E3: Overcoming Dyslexia in College – Real Stories and Strategies

word blindness Jan 23, 2025

 

Did you know dyslexia is often misunderstood? Myths like “dyslexia only affects reading” or “all dyslexics see letters backwards” simply aren’t true. In this episode, we’re uncovering the facts and exploring how to support individuals with dyslexia.

Join Juliet’s son, Montgomery, and her nephew, Bradley, as they share their college journey with the 5 D’s.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

  • Strategies for overcoming dyslexia in college
  • Coping with dysgraphia and managing anxiety in academics
  • Building a strong support system for students with learning differences
  • The transformative impact of specialized schools for dyslexia

Listen in and discover how we can empower students to thrive!

Transcript:

00:00:02
Welcome back to Word Blindness, Dyslexia exposed. I am here with my co host, Brent Sopel. How are you? Oh, I am so excited for this one. I know.

00:00:12
Waiting for weeks to find out college sex life and how hot the girls are. Okay, well, so that's. We probably will touch on that, even though I. Yes, I am. Okay, well, so I want to introduce Montgomery Hahn and Bradleyley Deblets to the show.

00:00:30
How are you guys? I am good. Riley, what is that in your hand? Just a wave. Oh, the sun.

00:00:39
The sun shined through so it looked like you had your hand taped up. Bar fight last night. Juliet, why don't you give the details? Amazing listeners. Who is Casper the Ghost and Bradleyley here?

00:00:55
I will. So, Montgomery, obviously our last names match. This is my son that we talk about word blindness a lot. He is a freshman at Newberry College, playing soccer. Not a real sport.

00:01:07
Finished his first. Finished his first semester. And then we have my nephew, one of my favorite humans as well, Bradleyley Deblet, who is a freshman at Tennessee. So what we're really excited about is. I mean, there's so many things because.

00:01:23
Onward blindness. We talk a lot about the five Ds. And we have two individuals here. I mean, we. We're all dyslexic here.

00:01:30
Not all of us have all the 5Ds. Some of us have a little bit more of the 5Ds. The two men on the bottom of the screen, Montgomery and Brent, have more 5Ds than Bradleyley and I do. And to give Bradleyley a Montgomery, you're. More retarded like me.

00:01:45
You're all retarded. Yeah. Perfect. I don't know that we're allowed to say that. I know Penelope said that we were.

00:01:51
We're not calling anyone else retarded. Let me clarify. I say this every time on the show. I am retarded. I'm not calling anybody else.

00:02:00
I am very clearly. Why do you think I get to park in the front space every time I go shopping?

00:02:07
Okay, so as you can see where this is gonna go. But one of the things. And I really appreciate you guys coming on because we've talked obviously about your journeys. We've talked about both of your journeys. Obviously, we've talked about Montgomery's journey a little bit more.

00:02:21
But I think it's really important for the listeners and everyone out there to listen, to hear, and also to kind of relate what it is like, because they hear Brent and I talking about how our dyslexia shows up. But having you guys the first year in college. It's going to be interesting, and we. Got to give them a little kudos. Juliet.

00:02:41
They got up early for us. They did? Yeah. Really early. First off, shame on you as a mom, getting him up that early to go work out.

00:02:52
Terrible. Yeah. So I'll give them kudos to both of them. Cute little young boys. Keep them young, you know, sleeping on the couch and going to work out with mom.

00:03:03
So cute, right? But it's a lot. This is the first time that I've gotten up at, like, a responsible hour in, like, six, seven months. I've. Let's.

00:03:17
Let's. Let's clarify this. What is a responsible hour to you? All right? To me, your responsible hour is like 10, 30, 11 to most people.

00:03:27
That is ridiculous. But I like. I like my 11, 30, 12 sleep. I'm good with it. I just wanted to clarify, you know, because every one of us, we ask the same question.

00:03:37
We're going to different answers. So I just want to make sure I understood what your responsible hour. Bradleyley, what's your responsible hour? I'd say I'm the same. I've always loved to sleep.

00:03:46
My mom always did and told me the same, and I think it's, like, my favorite thing to do. So sleep. I will. The debitzes. When you talk about sleep, the debitzes take sleep to a different level.

00:03:58
As Bradleyley said, my sister, even when the kids were newborns, she'd be like, no, I don't hear them. They sleep through the night. I would go, and I'd be like, no one's sleeping through the night. You just don't hear them. She'd be like, oh, really?

00:04:09
And I'm like, yes, I'm up with your kids now. Why is this, oh, she sucked you in purposely. 100%. I really would love to start this, because I know, Bradleyley, you and I kind of talked right before you were going off to school. We've talked a little bit about dyslexia and how it's kind of presented in different people.

00:04:29
And we, like, really? Right before you were going, we got kind of in a great conversation. And that's where I came up with. I always knew that I wanted Montgomery on, but I was like, you know, it'd be great to have both of you guys on, so whoever wants to start. But I would really appreciate you guys taking us back to your earliest memory of when you realized school sucked and that you were struggling.

00:04:54
Well, go with, you know, Bradleyley, because it starts with the beats earlier in the Alphabet. Montgomery. It's child Abuse having a name that long, being dyslexic. So, Bradleyley, why don't, why don't you start with us? Yeah.

00:05:06
I'd like to firstly say that I don't think I could spell Montgomery to this day. And I can't either. My poor names are Lee or tj, so I don't even spell brands. Yeah, it's not gonna happen. But no, I think it was.

00:05:22
I remember complaining to my mom. It was kindergarten. I was, I was old for my grade, so I was like 6. And I remember sitting in her and my dad's bed and we were going through like it was when they were determining your reading level and there was. Everyone was splitting up and I think I was on lower end.

00:05:40
And we were going through the book and I just like, I couldn't really, Couldn't really read it at all. I described what I was feeling to my mom. I was telling her, you know, the words. Others were moving around, I think is how I described it. And that was my first memory of struggling with reading because, I mean, you're in kindergarten, so you're reading maybe once a week and you have that assignment.

00:06:03
And I think me and my mom just really didn't do it. But she ended up taking me to the eye doctor. That was first grade. And I got these prescription glasses that had different color lens. It was a whole thing.

00:06:15
They had different color lenses. At first I had just like a. Almost like a sheet. It was like a see through sheet that I would put over the page and use that to read. And then we upgraded to the glasses, which made me look like I was walking around with like blacked out glasses because it was like dark purple and dark blue and the other lens.

00:06:35
And it worked really, like, it really actually helped me. The paper helped you or the glasses helped you? The paper did for sure. But the glasses were definitely the next kind of step. Luckily we were blessed enough to get those.

00:06:49
And then I had the other thing, which I didn't really realize until later in life. My mom kind of described this to me and Angelzi as well. I really struggle with tying my shoes. I think I wore velcro shoes till I was probably forced to wear tie shoes, which is like when I started playing soccer. It's like third grade.

00:07:09
And then my dad finally was like, okay, you need to figure this out, kid. And like sat me down for a while. But no, I, I talk about that. Well, first off, you know, I appreciate, you know, obviously sharing that, but it's help you realize how smart you are to be Able to say how you felt and what you. You were seeing to your mom at that age is incredible, you know, because I couldn't.

00:07:37
I couldn't relay some of those words until last couple years. So that's how smart you really are. So I hope you know that. And, you know, the tying laces. I talk about that probably every day here because that's.

00:07:50
That's part of the fine motor skills that we have. And I have coaches all the time. Fucking kids. You're not going to your parents. Tie and shoes.

00:07:57
I'm like, hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. There's a reason why so don't. And so I use that as a reference point all the time. So I just wanted to jump in, you know, and say how smart you are to be able to transition and tell your parents at that young age how you feel is. It's pretty impressive.

00:08:15
Yes, sir. Thank you. Yeah. Bradleyley has always been like. I mean, Montgomery as well.

00:08:21
But Bradleyley definitely expressed. I mean, that is one thing that my sister and I are very lucky with all of our kids, that they would kind of come and say, this doesn't feel right, and. Which helps you as a parent. And I do remember, because your mom called me, and I remember us going through it, and it was before we were going through some of the stuff with Montgomery. So I want to kind of throw it to you, Montgomery, because I know your experience is different, but when do you remember even?

00:08:50
And it might even have been before school. Like, you might. You know, there. There might have been something where you. Realize he's a soccer player, so don't throw anything.

00:08:56
Make sure you roll it to him.

00:09:00
So my first experience I had. I had, like, kind of, like a lot of experience, but the one I remember the most, it was. I think it was first grade. And I remember there's always, like, it was like, an A to Z reading thing. It was always like.

00:09:13
It was like the A books were the easiest books. Like, those are the super easy ones to read. And the teacher wanted you by the end of the year to go to be, like, five or six levels above where you were. I remember I'm like, all right, I'm on the A book. Barely read the A book.

00:09:29
And then just, like, it just stuck the entire year. I just could barely read the A book. I was like, oh. Like, this is like, what's going on? Like a little first grader.

00:09:39
All my friends, they're, like, reading, like, they're starting to go up in levels with books, and I. I'm just not going up and I was like, this is like. I was like, this is a little, like, weird kind of like. And then also I remember just, like, the level. Like, I have terrible handwriting as well, but I just couldn't read my handwriting.

00:09:58
Still to this day, I can't. But, like, I couldn't read preface. Why I have terrible handwriting. I'm dysgraphic. There you go.

00:10:06
There you go. That's a big reason why I'm dysgraphic. I rush everything I write, but in my mind, I can't slow it down. But back to, like, the book, it's like I just couldn't read. I just could not read it.

00:10:19
Like, I don't think I got through one book without anyone reading it to me. Like, that was. That was probably my first memory. But do. Do you remember your dysgraphic, Your dysgraphia or your dyslexia?

00:10:30
Like, do you have memories with your dysgraphia? If you can take us through that a little bit or. Yo, Juliet, you just talked about the dysgraphia. You. Your dysgraphia.

00:10:42
Well, yeah, and I will go into it because this is what's so interesting, because Montgomery like handwriting. Brian, you're the same with the handwriting. So that's how I always anticipated that's what dysgraphia was, you know, with my dad. So, Montgomery, like, if you can remember in school, like, your first memory of realizing, like, that, you know, that you were struggling there. Yes.

00:11:04
Yeah. The first memory I have with being dysgraphic is way more than me being dyslexic with the reading and everything, because I remember this, like, very, like, vividly. But I would. I remember we had, like, a writing assignment, and it was on, like. I don't know, because all of us are obviously dyslexic here, but mainly for Bradleyley.

00:11:27
Do you remember, like, the lines? It was like a super thick line, super thick line and then a dotted line. And they wanted it. Yeah. So they were trying to get me to write on that and, like, fit in there.

00:11:37
Because my handwriting's like. If I write an M, it's just. It's massive. Like, it's just like I'm filling up the whole page with my name. And they kept trying to get me to write in the little thing.

00:11:45
And I would go over, and not only was I going over and under it, it was all just fucking bunched up. I just couldn't read it, and I couldn't form the letters I wanted to write. And I'm like. It was so frustrating. Like, I just remember coming home, being I just can't write.

00:12:02
I never, ever. I still can't read my handwriting. Probably will never be able to. But it's just. I remember as a little first grader, like, I was like, this just fucking sucks.

00:12:12
Like, I just can't, like, write. Mm. Well, and this is. What's it. Because Brent and I have talked about this a number of times.

00:12:20
Bradleyley and Montgomery, when you guys were little, I remember the first time we had you together and you were sitting side by side, and I always had to cut Montgomery's food up, like, really, really small because he would choke. And we were sitting with your. And your mom was like. And she was giving you, like, these giant chunks. And I was like, oh, my God, he's going to choke.

00:12:39
She's like, he's not going to choke. What are you talking about? And she put, like, something on Montgomery's on his high chair, and he didn't use his pincher. So now we know that's a very early sign of dysgraphia. But when we were parents early, we didn't know that he would literally take a whole hand.

00:12:57
And, Meg, I remember your mom going, what's he doing? And I was like, he's eating. And she's like, oh, my God, he's going to choke. And I was like, well, that's what I said to you. Why did you give him so much?

00:13:05
And he literally, like, fisted and then shoved the food in his mouth and then would choke because he couldn't take little pieces. And if you guys remember, when you were little, Bradleyley, we talked about this with, like, the toys. Like, you would have, like, all your cars lined up and all of the, like, the. The Star wars stuff. And the hands of the characters were always on mine, and they were never on Montgomery's.

00:13:32
You ripped them off. Yeah. Are we. Are we talking some dominatrix here or what? Is there.

00:13:37
Is this how we work? This is just how we work. Like, just hand off foots off. Like, I remember the Legos. Like, Bradleyley would have his perfect little, like, Battleship perfectly.

00:13:46
And just my. Was just everywhere. I'm just building random things that are just like.

00:13:54
So Elizabeth. There you go. Yo. Here's my little drawing. I draw this little.

00:13:59
This is the garage and a car. She had this thing straight angled, and door was open. I'm like, huh? Here's the traffic and here's a normal person. Hers.

00:14:08
I'm like. She's like, I can't draw my. You can't draw? This thing is magnificent. This is going to the art gallery.

00:14:16
This is How I describe. So Montgomery, you and I are the same way. Yeah. Yeah, I remember. I was never like, mad or upset.

00:14:26
I was just so confused of why he did it. I never, like, understood why he would do it, but he would always do it. And so you would always. You would always say, like, aunt Jules, please don't let him touch my face tomorrow. It was like, I don't know, he had, like, a fixation with it.

00:14:43
It was cool. It's funny how you said that right there. You were never mad. You just didn't understand. Yeah, exactly.

00:14:52
And I think that's probably the biggest, you know, the podcast, you know, that we talk about. And yes, do I laugh and joke and yes, do I. On myself. That's how I get through the day, you know, because of my depression and the. The negative side of things.

00:15:07
But, you know, obviously recently, you know, there's another school shooting, you know, and in my mind is most of those kids are like us, struggling with learning disorders. And you just, just. You said something to me, just you didn't understand. You weren't mad. You just didn't understand.

00:15:30
You know, you had some support system. Right. You know, three of these people here, you could turn to, just don't let them touch my Legos. But most of us don't have that support system, and that's why we do what we do, and that's why we talk. So, you know, for you guys to come on, it obviously means a lot for us, you know, put some context to what we talk about on a, you know, on a weekly basis.

00:15:53
But, um, it's always good to hear stories in a, you know, in a different light now. So let's go back to college now. So, you know, you got through that. How's that transition been? I'm not talking about parties.

00:16:09
I want to know all about that. And the girls, we'll talk about that, too. The sex life. But how. Now you're going off topic.

00:16:20
No, that's not on topic. That. That's been. I told you yesterday, that's number one on topic. I know you're very exc.

00:16:25
To live vicariously, right? Absolutely. I'm grandpa. I'm old. But how, you know, how has it been transitioning?

00:16:33
And, you know, I talk about self esteem. That is number one for me. So now how's that education piece? And where are you getting your self esteem to be able to keep yourselves up and smiling every day and sleeping till one? Yeah, so I, I always went.

00:16:50
I went to Catholic school my entire life. Had a great sports system. The Learning sport, the system there was really good and they always helped me. High school dropped off a little bit because the school kind of got bigger and they focused on people who kind of reached out. And I just kind of assimilated, to be honest, at the end of the day.

00:17:08
And I was a little nervous. Then college came around. I was a little nervous, you know, with that transition, going to a school like Tennessee, which is, you know, massive orange. Yeah, go Vols. But, you know, it really.

00:17:22
It's been good. I was. I was nervous about the class size and the lecture aspect of it. I did have to. I had a political science class which was like I had told Angels about.

00:17:33
This was about like a 250 person lecture. Yeah. And it was just hopeless. Like, I knew from day one, walking in there, I was like, this is not gonna happen. And luckily that was kind of my only lecture.

00:17:44
So I did end up dropping that class. Probably gave up on it a little too early. But I never really gave it a chance. And it really wasn't that bad. Looking back at it, it was.

00:17:53
The class was two. It was Monday, Wednesday at like 10:00am you had this. That's why you didn't give it a chance. It was before that 11:30 window. But then it was.

00:18:05
It was cool because they had a. They had a Friday break off at like 12, and it was with like more of a 20 person group and you kind of discuss everything. But I mean, I was. I'd be sitting there and I'm like, dude, like the professor. They just kind of go up there and talk and go through the textbook and stuff.

00:18:24
And the reason I thought I would be able to succeed is because I would really like the like, political science aspect of it and be interested in what he was saying. And it was just back to stuff that happened 600 years ago that really doesn't have any impact on what I'm doing right now. And I'm like, dude, okay. No. So.

00:18:40
So my dyslexic daughter, you know, again, she's. She's here in college too. She's doing, you know, political science. So I heard about all. But again, amazing.

00:18:51
Able to articulate that, to understand that, to look back and, you know, not being our age, you know, 51 almost. And, you know, almost 50, we can look back. But to be able to look back in such a short time frame, like only a few months and say the things that you are saying is. Is incredible. Juliet, not.

00:19:12
No, no. Yeah. I mean, and one of the things that is, I think, beautiful about both of these boys they also support each other. Like, I know if times they'll be like, hey, dude, you know, like, what's going on? I mean, that's something that my sister and I is really important to us to create that because she and I have always been so close.

00:19:31
But the communicating, I think from very early in all of our family, my sister and I, like, that was what we were brought up on. Like, you have to communicate. Like, if something's not right, you need to talk about it because it's only gonna go sideways, right? Like, if. If you don't talk about it.

00:19:47
And so I think knowing, okay, I'm nervous to go in there and Bradleyley, you know, saying, I gave up a little early. Whether you did or not, you could always take it in and now know, okay, this is what it is. Because I shared with you that. That big lecture. And I was like, that's when I got diagnosed with a lot of stuff in college, because I was like, oh, my God.

00:20:03
All I did is count the red shirts. Look who the cute boys were. I could hear the clock. I could hear people tapping their pencil. And then the class would be over and I'd be like, oh, my God, what did the professor say?

00:20:11
I didn't hear anything. And that's where, like, I realized, you know, I needed more and more. I can't get by what I did in high school, but I think having that, you know, you had the expectations of, like, okay, there are going to be some things that are going to be hard. Can you and the Montgomery will jump into you for a second, but can you take us through any of what support Tennessee has for you with your learning style? Yeah.

00:20:37
So they actually do a very good job. You have to reach out kind of before the semester starts. But I think his name was like, Eric Winkle. And I had a Zoom call with him. You could have had an in person or a Zoom call, but I just said I had a zoom.

00:20:50
Winkle. Winkle. Did you say Winkle? Something like that. I ended up meeting him.

00:20:54
He was about 5, 4, 200 pounds. It's about what I thought it sounds. Winkle. Yeah. No, like, big smile on his face, like.

00:21:02
But yeah, so I had a call with him and he, you know, was like, so, what's your, like, learning disabilities like? And I kind of just described it to him, and I never really had been asked that question. My mom always just kind of submitted my accommodations and they just like, chose like, okay, this is what this kid needs. But he, like, kind of interviewed me. It was pretty cool.

00:21:21
And Was, like, asking me all these questions about, like, what goes through my mind when I'm taking a test and stuff like that. And one thing he prescribed me, I guess, which was new, was he allowed me to, like, get up and move during the test. Like, they have. You have the ability to do that. And they have a whole testing center, which is awesome, Which I use for my exams.

00:21:42
And I. I didn't actually utilize it. I definitely could have, but I was honestly just too nervous. Like, I didn't tell him. I told him I had diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder.

00:21:52
But that's kind of. That's really ran my life, that part. And, you know, in the back of my mind, I'm like, okay. Like, there's gonna be people looking at me, want to stand it up. I'm not standing up.

00:22:02
I'm just gonna take this damn test. But, yeah, I should have. But, yeah, no, they did a great job, but. And you might be able to, like, as you get more comfortable with it. And I appreciate you talking about that, because I know your anxiety does run more stuff.

00:22:17
And Brent can really, you know, talk about that. I. You know, my husband. You're not alone. Yes.

00:22:23
Trust me. That's the worst. Right? And that. And.

00:22:27
But the fact that you were like, okay, I acknowledge it. I mean, you also pledged a fraternity and were able. And you were really busy with all of that and were able to kind of juggle it. And so how was that juggling it? And did you feel like having that testing center was like, okay?

00:22:43
It just felt good to know that you had a place. Yeah, it did make me feel. Because that's always been one thing that's been constant with my education has. Has been that, you know, ability to be in a smaller room and kind of be isolated. And it's.

00:22:54
They always make you feel so welcomed. Like, that feeling is just the best to me. You walk in there, and they have the sound machine going, and it's like.

00:23:05
My daughter sleeps with that thing, and she sleeps with her. Ey. Walk in the room like, what the fuck? What's wrong with this girl? It's a serious thing.

00:23:14
I've had. My mom swears it's crazy, but I've had the same. It's the only sound machine we've had that's never broken. Yeah, we have one, and they had the same one at Tennessee. So I walked in, I was like, yeah, dude, this is, like, this is pretty awesome.

00:23:29
That's awesome. Yeah. How big is the testing center? And can any. Anybody use it at any time or is IT schedule.

00:23:39
So he required, like, he asked me all these questions. He was like, I can get you these this semester, but I need, like, an accommodation, like, report for the rest of the four years. So my mom just sent it over, and now I have it for all four years. It was super easy. Looking back at it, actually, my high school made it way more difficult than it needed to be.

00:23:56
But. And there's. What do you think? Why do you think that I. There.

00:24:02
So they made it. At the start, it was like my middle school. It was all the same diocese. They did a great job. Elementary school did a great job.

00:24:09
I had, like, a private tutor come in, like, once a week who would teach me Oren Gillingham on my own during, like, Spanish class because, you know, foreign language and dyslexia just doesn't really click. I always say, I can't do the first language. You want me to do a second one? How does that work? That was my joke.

00:24:25
But, yeah. And then we had. Towards my junior year, we brought in this new principal, and she's been changing everything. Luckily, I kind of got out this year. Now I heard about her.

00:24:36
Yeah, she wants to. She proposed an idea to the PTO that my mom is not very. She's writing a letter about that people with accommodations should not be able to take honors or AP classes and should just be in the, like, regular classes, which. These classes, I'm like, are nothing compared to the honors classes. And some of these kids work ten times harder than the kids that are placing them just because they don't have these accommodations.

00:25:04
And she's kind of. I thought she was super nice, but the fact that she brought that up is just like. Yeah, Zachary told me a couple things. I said. I said to your mom just, does she need me to come down and make a visit?

00:25:15
Oh, the two of us can come down and make a visit. I'll come down. She wants to join this Catholic school system with one other school from Indiana. I guess her reasoning, or what my mom was just saying is she's just super, like, faith driven. Another thing she's changed is we have mass once a week now.

00:25:33
And she changed the uniforms. But I like, that's. That's. You gotta separate. Separate church and state to an extent.

00:25:42
And we've been. I mean, the school's done great up to this point. Like, and we brought in this new principal who's changing everything up. Luckily, I'm not there anymore, so we'll see. Right?

00:25:51
Right. Thank you, Briley, for sharing that, because I think it also Gives people an idea. Because there's so many things that people don't understand in this world. Montgomery. I'm going to throw it to you now and to kind of also.

00:26:05
And you can start back on like when we were starting to look at schools and what Newberry has to offer, but just kind of like, you know, you can touch on Southport however you want to kind of take that question. But, like, how you've gotten by, you think, with everything. And like, how the first semester of college and like, kind of maybe the tools that you brought from some of your education at Southport maybe helped or didn't help. I think the first semester for me went, like, pretty easy. There's like, moments that they were hard.

00:26:41
I needed to like, lock in and like, actually get work done. But, like, I don't really think any of the work was too hard.

00:26:50
But still, to like an extent, I can sort of get by by just trying to charm the teacher. But, like, that's always what I would do in high school. That's. That's the only way I passed. No studying, barely doing any of the work through my four years of high school.

00:27:06
Just getting relationship with all the teachers and then just like kind of using me having learning disabilities as like the biggest tool. Watch. It worked. But that backfired very hard in college and I can't do that anymore. I tried multiple times and got told that I actually need to do the work.

00:27:26
And I like the school too, because it's not. They're not just like, off, like. Like. Yeah. Are they.

00:27:33
Are they being about it? Are they being respectful of it? They're being so nice, which is also so annoying. I want a reason to get pissed. Like, you guys, like, you're not letting me do this.

00:27:44
But I'm like, you guys are so nice. Like my English teacher, I really struggle in English, which I never struggle in. I'm always like, high 90s. Like, that's my easiest class. Like, that's what my best at.

00:27:54
I had a 77C plus. I mean, I'm happy. I'm extremely happy with that because that class was so hard. But he. He's such a good teacher.

00:28:03
Because I would. I. Because I have dysgraphia, I always just like, if I try writing or I just do this on purpose, it's gonna look the same. So I did this on purpose. And I'm really polite to him.

00:28:17
I like, I'm really nice. I. Questions I say after and ask him stuff. Like, really just like, that's what you have to do in the beginning Charm them. Really just charm.

00:28:25
Must be a han. Yeah, just, like, completely. Just, like, just. And I gave him an assignment. And later, he.

00:28:32
He was like. He was like, all right, you did a really good job here, but unfortunately, I can't read it, which is totally okay. And he's like. He's like, you can use your computer. I'm giving you an extra week for this.

00:28:42
Like, I know it's due today, but I'm giving you extra week. I was like, you. Because, like, so nice. Like, Like a week. Giving me an extra week to do an ass.

00:28:51
Clearly did not try on. And I. He gave me high 90s for it, no points off, and really asked me, like, every day, like, what do I need? It's not like he doesn't try to necessarily teach me on how he teaches. It's like, what do you need?

00:29:05
Like, Bradleyley kind of said, it's like, what do you need? And then I'll just get. I'll, like, I'll help you however you need. That's all my teachers in the school. And then Mrs.

00:29:13
Henderson, who. Who is just the absolute best, she's help me in a billion ways with studying with Very, like, I need. I need a very, like, schedule. Like, I'm doing this, this, and this. And that's why.

00:29:26
Like, that's why here, now that I'm home for two months, I'm not doing. Because I need a schedule, like, I need to have. So she put a complete schedule for me. Like, you're doing this, this, and this. I would have to do it then and then leave my afternoons and nights open for training, practice, stuff like that.

00:29:43
So the school's amazing. I love it. Like, also, my coaches, like, I have to give my coaches a lot of credit because when I initially went to one of the camps and they offered me, before I got offered my head coach, Justin Cook, he asked me, like, what do I need from the school, not just from soccer. Like, what do I need from the school? And then what do I need from him as a coach to help me to be able to pass classes and throughout the year, checking on me, seeing how I'm doing with classes, and then also really kind of like going above and beyond as what a coach, like, obviously coach is going to help their players, but he.

00:30:24
He kind of did the above and beyond for me. Really, really checking on me. Really, really, like, breaking down plays that. Because once you get to the next level, it's like. It's really, like, just the patterns.

00:30:38
Like, I kind of just played. Like, I never really. The patterns like, that just does not stick. Pull me to a side and be like, all right, this. Like, have me sit down and watch some of the players.

00:30:45
And then, like, put me in there. And then I would get it. Because struggle in the beginning with that. But, like, everyone in that school just helps me with everything I need and. And like, all I just need to do is ask.

00:30:57
Like, that's like, just ask. And then they'll go above and beyond. My assistant coach has learning disabilities. How do you feel asking? You know, I guess that goes into both of you.

00:31:06
How does. Because for me, I won't ask. I'll move a. I'll move a house. And because I've been let down so many times, like, I literally move a whole host myself.

00:31:15
I'll put a fridge in my back. Put in my. I'll put a couch back. I'll pip a car. I don't give.

00:31:20
I'm not asking for help. So how is it for you guys to ask for help? For me, I also, as I've been, like, older, my anxiety has gotten, like, a lot worse. Like, just, like, it's gotten, like, really bad. My.

00:31:36
My junior and senior year was, like, really bad. I had really bad anxiety. So I would try not to ask, but then I would, like, up on something and I'd be like, all right, like, ask. But, like, I always used to be able to get through stuff on my own, which I'm so used to doing, is just like, all right, I have this assignment. It's like, oh, you can stay for extra help.

00:31:54
I'm not fucking staying for extra help. Like, it's bullshit. Like, I'm just gonna do the assignment how I'm gonna do it and get it done. But as. As.

00:32:03
Like I said, getting. As I've been getting older, more anxiety. But this. This freshman year of college, it's. It's not bad at all.

00:32:11
Like, it's. I can ask. I don't feel weird. I don't feel, like, uncomfortable. Like, oh, people are gonna.

00:32:18
Like, I kind of have to look at it the standpoint. Like, all of us are human. Like, we all have questions. It doesn't really matter what question you have. Like, you just gotta ask.

00:32:26
So I've been getting a lot. Like, I always ask, but, like, sometimes, like, when I was younger, I'd feel weird and I wouldn't ask, but then sometimes I'd feel weird and still ask. So it's kind of like how I'm feeling. But now I just. I ask a million questions.

00:32:38
Bradleyley, what about you? Yeah, I've I've. I really only ask or tell people I truly trust. So, like, for example, my mom, that's obviously the first person I ever told about and asked for help. And then kindergarten or sorry, first grade through third grade, I had this amazing teacher.

00:32:59
Her name was Ms. O'Connor. She moved in third grade to a school that was for like, I guess it was like an Oregon Gallingham school, so just people with like, dyslexia. The school was like $30,000 a year. Was it Fletcher?

00:33:13
It was Fletcher, right? Yeah. Yeah. So she moved, which was like, truly brought me up from those, like, first four years of school, helped me get through there. And that's the only other person I've really ever asked.

00:33:27
And then we got this tutor who would come in to the school and help me. And she was there as well since about second grade. But she did help me all the way through high school. So that was kind of the only. Person I would, you know, in college right now, you know, do you have somebody that you can ask?

00:33:47
Because, you know, you got four people, three other people here you can ask. Yeah, there isn't much I haven't gone through. You know, Aunt Jules can tell you it's quite the wide rider in. So you, you know, you can always ask and you're never going to get judged. Anybody here.

00:34:01
So know that. Yeah, I, I don't. I feel like now in college, I'm definitely more. And like, I mean, this is obviously the most independent I've ever been in my entire life. Like, and I've.

00:34:13
I've learned that my. I think I've told my aunt, my cousin about this, but my. One of my roommates is probably one of the smartest people I've ever met in my entire life. And like one of the kindest people I've ever met. He made it in the Brown in Stanford and he just decided to come to Tennessee just because it was a family thing for him.

00:34:35
And he was always. He's been great. If I ever need help in like math or anything, like, he just knows it. It's. It's incredible to me.

00:34:43
Like, I'll have this whole pack of do and he'll walk in there and look at it. Oh yeah, this is this. And like walk me through. I'm like, like, it's just, it's. It's great.

00:34:51
It's incredible. Where's he from? He is from Memphis, Tennessee. He is. He's Hispanic.

00:34:56
He's the first person of his family to go to college. His mom was a Spanish teacher at all Guys, Catholic school. And that's how, you know, that's what he's doing. He's pretty awesome. He's a biomedical engineer.

00:35:13
He wants to be a heart surgeon. That's cool. But that's so awesome that you have that. And I feel like that's pure luck. Just literally.

00:35:21
I. You know. But it's interesting because I was telling Brent before, just, like, some of your guys, you know, journey as you guys were younger, and just because your mom and I are so close, and we would always, like, you know, the support that you guys have had with friends. Like, Montgomery has been through so many different schools, and so it was always different. But your support, like, with Frank and Frank being dyslexic and you having relationship.

00:35:47
Like, it was crazy. Yeah. So tell us a little bit about that. You know, as you were younger, having people that understood, too. Yeah, he was.

00:35:55
We met in preschool, like, third grade. Just, like, drawn to each other. Sorry, three years old, not third grade. We're three years old, and we did everything together. And I'm looking at a picture from right now on my desk, but he ended up going to the school called Fletcher up till third grade.

00:36:13
And almost, like, every. So then, I mean, I had to, like, learn everything by myself, like, social skills, like, all that stuff just pretty much redo. Because the only people I was friends with at that point in my life was, like, Montgomery and him. Like, that was it. That was, like, built in.

00:36:31
Like, you know, I didn't really have to do anything to be friends with these kids. Right? They just liked me, luckily. And then. So cute.

00:36:39
Can I be your friend?

00:36:43
And then, so my mom, like, I remember her, like, really vividly, remember her being really worried about me, like, making friends. Because obviously, like, I wasn't diagnosed with anxiety, but I was clearly a kid who had anxiety. And luckily it worked out because I remember I was really into football cards and, like, everyone else was. So it kind of, you know, lucked out that way, but. And then in third grade, he came, and the combinations made it so that every single class we had, we were together.

00:37:14
We were pretty much all the way together with everything until 8th grade and then freshman year of high school starts. And they. And my mom told me this later. Like, her, my mom and his mom and the school decided they're gonna slowly, like, break us apart, because obviously that was not gonna work for, like, our future. Like, we were that close.

00:37:33
Like, we would. Like, him being in the same room with me would make me not nervous. Like, I would be able to be myself truly with him being just, like, in there and, like, take tests, not being nervous. It also. What to, you know, us having too much fun, which was.

00:37:51
It helped me gain a lot of confidence and stuff, and it made me the man I am today. But I can assure that the teachers, you know, maybe. You know, here's what I say to that is I've got. I probably have the worst anxiety in the world because I never had that. I never had a friend.

00:38:11
Yeah. I never had somebody who understood me. I never had a teacher that understood, you know, the first person that ever understood me in life. You know who that is? That's the other person on the screen.

00:38:23
I'm coming. Your mom. It took 46 years to have one person understand me. So, you know, you had somebody, like, the anxiety, like, I got to be on the ice to coach. I gotta be there, like, an hour early because Elizabeth's like, what the fuck?

00:38:38
We going so early? Because I'm so scared of being there and having to see somebody and have to do something, and I'm late. That's my anxiety. I never. You know, I played pro hockey for 18 years.

00:38:47
I left with no friends, not one, because I had. Nobody understood me, you know, so it's pretty special that you guys have this family that you do. You. The support system that you do. You know, it's something that I.

00:39:01
I dream of. I still. I get judged every day for being retarded, and I'm okay with that. But if I didn't have your mom, I didn't have Elizabeth. I've talked about doing many things.

00:39:16
I've talked about being down, you know, so anxiety is. I'm probably one of the worst in the world.

00:39:25
Yeah. And I truly, like, now that I've learned or, like, seen the. Or just been away from it all, I can truly see how blessed we are. Yeah. I can only imagine what it would be like having to go to even just a public school for me.

00:39:41
I can't imagine how hard that would have been for me growing up. But. Yeah, no, and I always remember because we. You know, with Monk, we went to so many. He was in so many different schools.

00:39:51
But one of the things. And again, for your mom and I to raise two kids that were such peas in the pod, but also different because one of the things. And your mom and I are, like, the same sort of way. We're like peas in a pod. But then we have our differences where, like, Montgomery and I can make friends in a paper bag because we just.

00:40:07
It's just one of our. It's how we win people over. Right? Try and charm each other. That's what you do.

00:40:14
Right?

00:40:19
If you and I are alike, I think those two chuckleheads are too much alike. Yeah. That's how we would get by. It's like, okay, what. How can I talk to this teacher?

00:40:27
And it wasn't. It never anything that we were like. I didn't sit there and think, like, Montgomery clearly was like, okay, I got to charm this teacher. I didn't realize that's what I was doing until I was older, being like, oh, that's why I was always like, just. I'm always just curious about people's people.

00:40:42
Like, I really do enjoy learning about people, and so that also helps. But, Montgomery, if we can kind of swing it over to you and take us through. Because you went to many different schools, right? I mean, you've had kind of both. I mean, both worlds of struggling in public school, going to the private school, going back into public school, and.

00:41:02
And I know I was always like, I'm not worried about it. He'll figure it out. Because I had that confidence in you, and I knew that you would figure it out, even though I knew there was also gonna be times where you were gonna get your ass handed to you, and I'd be like, okay. I mean, how many times we talked about moving to Charlotte and putting you in Fletcher with Frank and Bradleyley? I mean, you know, we did.

00:41:22
We talked about that all the time. And I would say, you know, to Aunt Meg's, like, okay, if that's what God wants us, it will happen. We can't force it, because we have to believe in what God is putting us in our path. And if we overthink it sometimes, that's where the anxiety, you know, And I would always say, that's how I tampered my anxiety. Just have to kind of like, go and know that it's out of my hands.

00:41:44
But if you can take us through some of your, you know, schooling and friendships and, you know, along your journey. So I went to the Southport School. That was my first. Like, that was my dyslexic school. Everyone in there had a learning disability, and that was all Oren Gillingham.

00:42:06
And that was kind of like, the basis of how I really started learning, because I didn't learn anything up to that point. And I joined the school in fourth grade. I spent three years there, and looking back now realizing, like, I learned everything from med school, because it's kind of like you go in not knowing really how to learn, and then you leave Knowing, like, how to learn. But you don't know that you knew how to learn because, like, that next year in that new school, you realize, all right, like, this is actually, like, doable. Like, I can actually do it.

00:42:44
Like, I can read now. I still cannot write. No one is fixing that. I still cannot do math. No one is fixing that.

00:42:51
Because I'm also.

00:42:55
So I have every. Like, literally everything. So they. That, like, that's impossible to fix for me. But just being more social, being more kind of, like, not, like, outgoing, because, like, I've never.

00:43:14
Like, I hid away from trying to make friends because of being dyslexic. But it was kind of like everyone in that school has a learning disability. Like, we're all the same. So it's kind of like I could just not worry about having a question or not worrying, like, all right, my schoolwork's terrible, but it's like, all right, the kid next to me, schoolwork's terrible. The kid behind me, the kid in front of me.

00:43:36
Like, everyone has terrible schoolwork. Cover handwriting. And then when I went to the. Then when we moved to Long Island, I went to the middle school school, and it was kind of like. It was.

00:43:49
It wasn't that bad. But then there's things that I kind of realized, because I really didn't start realizing that I was super different until I went to the middle school. Because back when I was at Southport, I. I wasn't, like, really friends with anyone from other schools. It was only Southport.

00:44:06
So I'm like, all right, this is the normal. And then when I got to West Hampton Beach Middle School, I was like, all right, this is not that common, that normal. Like, because I can't type fast, which everyone in the school wanted me to do because I couldn't read my handwriting, but I can't type. Also, I would speak it into my computer, and they would. They would give me, like, an iPad computer that I would use separate from the computers they gave us.

00:44:34
But I have to go sit out in the hall, and I would have to, like, sit in a desk in the hall in the corner and just speak. I'm like, all right, this is, like, weird. Like, this is like. This is not normal. And then, like.

00:44:51
And then, like, it's kind of like, it almost. Like, when you're in that situation, almost hinders you from really making friends. If you think about it, because I'm not in the classroom, I'm getting pulled out to go to different classrooms. I'm in, like, the. Like.

00:45:07
Like, it is pretty much the Kid, like for all the kids who have learning disabilities and stuff, it is like they would just put you all together. And I am super lucky that a couple of the kids in there happen to be kids that I'm really good friends with. Still some of my really good friends today. But it kind of like almost hinders you in a way because it just happened. All the kids that had a lot, a lot of friends, a lot of them happen to also have learning disabilities.

00:45:37
So I got really, really lucky that some of my really good friends turned out. I was with them in middle school that had learning disabilities. But in a way it's like it almost like in public schools with kids with learning disabilities, I feel like it's so failed and they do not do a good job at it because they almost like hide you away from, from everyone who does not have learning disabilities. And then it hinders you through your entire middle school and high school, which I don't think is right at all. I think they have to do a way better job at doing that because I'm like the person that can speak about it some of the most.

00:46:14
Because I was only friends with like a hand school, a handful of kids, because those are the kids I felt comfortable with. But that's because the kids I was getting put with with, they were just sticking me in there and I just happened to be friends with them. But the kids would act out, the kids would get suspended, the kids would start doing bad things. The kids like, would just like get kicked out of school, get suspended all the time. And then I found myself like in that kind of like group where like, we would skip class, we wouldn't do our homework, we would.

00:46:44
And then like, like later down, I realized like that I gotta get out of this. This is like, I'm not going, like, this is not going to end well. And now really looking back at it, back at it, most of those kids that I was with that was doing all those things, they're not doing anything. Like, they're kind of like, they like kind of almost failed out of school. Like, and it's like if I was still on that path, then where would I be?

00:47:10
Would I be in college? Would I be playing sports? But it's, it starts with the school. It's not really the kids fault necessarily, in my opinion. I just think they do a terrible job at, at helping these kids because clearly they need help.

00:47:21
Clearly they're acting out and no one's doing anything to help them. And this is, and this was the same thing in, in high School as well. Like, I started doing the same things in high school where I was friends with the kids from middle school. So I started being friends with them in high school because we were putting the same classes that kind of just threw us to the side. And it was like, I would skip class.

00:47:40
I failed probably three classes, and I was gonna have to redo. I was gonna have to redo ninth grade, and then I would. I would just wouldn't turn in. Like, I would show up to school and just not do work, and. And I would just leave class, and that's what it would be.

00:47:57
And then, like, sophomore year also, it was kind of the same thing, and I had terrible grades. But again, at that point, it's really, really hard to turn that around, because you've been doing this now for four years. You've been doing it 7, 8, 9, 10. And then it's not over, but it's like they need to provide more help for the kids because it's. They just don't do enough.

00:48:21
I feel like in public schools, because I've been to a bunch of public schools, I went to a private school, and it's just. The private school, it just helps more. Like, you just get way more help. Yeah. To touch on that a little bit.

00:48:34
Frank always likes to claim that Fletcher helping beat dyslexia because he got reevaluated. And they said that he learned enough tools through Fletcher to the point where he can, like, cope like a normal person, I guess. And so he doesn't need as much as the accommodations anymore, which I thought about when you said they taught you how to learn the reading thing. They really did. They really.

00:49:00
They really teach you kind of like just the basics, and they help you build it up through the year, through the years that you're there. I got school. That school is amazing for the three years I went there. You say Frank goes to Notre Dame now? No, that's my other best friend.

00:49:19
We don't like them. We don't like Notre Dame. Just. No. Yeah, he's.

00:49:25
From the second that kid was. Was my friend, I was like, yeah, you not really gonna need to worry about learning too much, to be honest. Play football. Football, Again, football is not a real sport either. Soccer.

00:49:38
So you talk about sports. We have. We have a hockey prejudice. Hockey guy gets real salty when you talk about. Talk about the other stuff.

00:49:48
And I. It's a real man sport. None of this other stuff, you know, football. Four seconds, I'm gonna stand there. I'm gonna rub your butt.

00:49:55
Give me that ball. Hand it off. I'm gonna wear a gold change. Like, I'm the coolest. I'm gonna celebrate myself.

00:50:02
Then I'm gonna get ahead the ball. Then I'm gonna flop and roll around when there's nobody 25ft around me. Somebody decided to maybe almost hit me. Should I keep going? Okay, no, you can stop.

00:50:15
We got. We got the point. It's so funny, you know, And I think that you guys brought up a lot of things, because I remember, and being a parent, knowing that Montgomery was going to be in some of these classes, like, I would. Like, I was always that mom. That was like, okay, I know you're not allowed to tell me the makeup of the class, but I want to know the makeup.

00:50:35
Because my senior and junior year, when I needed to get additional time for my SATs that I couldn't get up, I was put in the resource room. And I remember the kids that were in the resource room. Those were the kids that, you know, were constantly in trouble, fucking around and. And. Or there was something really wrong with them.

00:50:54
And so I would always be so protective of Montgomery, but knowing that, I couldn't be too protective, because what other choices did we have? You know, we were so fortunate that we had Southport when we did. And I do remember Montgomery, if I'm allowed to share. When you went in, I remember, like, the third day you came home and you said, mom, I feel really bad saying this, but there's a. There's someone that's worse than me.

00:51:18
I'm not the dumbest. And I said, oh, honey. You know, And I just remember my heart being, like, ripped out, and he's like, someone actually can't read, and she can't read at all. And then we talked about this later when you realized that you were in her reading group and that everyone else, even in the school with all learning disabilities, you still were in the lowest reading group. I mean, you.

00:51:38
You brought yourself up, but it is. It's really humbling, right? When, you know, you have these skills. I remember when you guys were both diagnosed and you said to me, well, wait, isn't Bradleyley really good in math? Why don't I have that dyslexia?

00:51:55
I was like, I know he got the mental. Math is the only thing I like, really good at. Well, but that's a doubletz, right? That wasn't a Williams. The Williams.

00:52:04
I think my uncle is pretty good at it. I think that must be what it is. But, you know, Bradleyley, that's an amazing skill, though. Like, yeah, be. You know, be Proud of that because I got.

00:52:14
I got dysgraphia, discalculia. Right. Montgomery. Right. Dyslex, adhd.

00:52:22
You got them all. So you could be, like, me, like a mixed bag of nuts and never know what's coming out. Yeah, right? Yeah. It was the one thing that was a little annoying about.

00:52:31
It is not annoying. I guess it was cool. But I. I was the only math aspect I would say I was, like, excelled at to a certain extent was the mental math part of it. Like, I think fourth grade, I, like, did pretty good in the math B.

00:52:44
So my mom had this expectation that I was gonna be this, like, math genius. She did. She didn't realize that. That I was only good at, like. Like adding, subtracting, and, like, division.

00:52:54
And then I'm like, in the lowest math, I'm like, mom, it's just the mental math. Like, oh, wait, so I don't know that I knew that. I. I, like, learned this later because she brought up my expectations. I was, like, mad at myself for not being, you know, one of these crazy smart math classes.

00:53:11
And then, you know, eventually I just realized that it's really just the mental math. But it's still a pretty cool trick to have, like. It is. It is a cool trick, but you are right. It was like, okay.

00:53:21
Because we were so bad in math math, your mom and I, that it was like, oh, my God. Someone, like, even Penelope will be like, mom, I'm, like, just okay at math. Like, you're like, you think I'm so good at it? And she's like, I get good grades in math. But, like, I'm like, yeah, but you don't understand.

00:53:34
Like, I don't have a concept of numbers. Like, I literally have no concept of numbers. I don't understand, like, measurements. If someone could, say, five feet, and I'm. I have to, like, picture Grammy or I have no idea.

00:53:47
Right? I have to, like, do that. Or like, someone says, six feet up. Feet. Yeah.

00:53:54
And then Uncle David or my dad. Six feet. Right. That's so I. That's the only way I know anything.

00:54:00
But I still would have to, like, lay them down in my mind to be like, how far is that? Like, I can't do any of that. So you're right. When you were a kid, that was your claim of fame. Yeah.

00:54:11
No, it was actually pretty crazy. It was weird. In fourth grade, I. I mean, I'll never forget this. I.

00:54:17
We were doing some math lesson, and it was probably some mental math thing. And I told my teacher the way I did it because she was actually, like, super cool. This is like a cool teacher. And she was, like, interested in my brain. Every other team, this was like sending the learning sport.

00:54:29
And then, like, I won't worry about it, but she wanted to learn what was going on. And I, like, explained to her how I did it, and she had me, like, teach the class because I did it in, like, such a fast way. And I. I figured this all out, like, by myself. Like, so this might be random.

00:54:45
What the is mental math? I don't know. Like, the other day. I have no clue what you're talking. Well, he can do math facts in his head.

00:54:54
Yeah, right. So my. All right, so my we. I have an eighth grade brother. He's.

00:54:57
He's studying for his math final. He's got Wednesday. And my mom made me help him with his math packet. And we were doing, like, I think the problem, it was like 26 divided by 52. And he, like, didn't know how to do that.

00:55:10
And to me, that comes very. Like, I could tell you that in half a second. And so my mom had me, like, explain how I did it. And, like, I do. Like, I explained to him, and it didn't click for him.

00:55:23
So I explained it another way that, like, the school explained to you. And he didn't understand it, but, like, he did. Okay, that's interesting mental math stuff. It's. I think you're just born with it.

00:55:32
Yeah. Yeah. Because I don't even remember the numbers that you said. Yeah, like, I don't. 26 divided by what?

00:55:41
No, but that is. It's so interesting, Bradleyley, because that is like a strength that you have in there. But as you said, probably as, like, word problems and all of that stuff got harder. That's where then you started struggling because you're dyslexia. And I just second guessed everything.

00:55:54
I would think, like, when I told y'all 26 by 52, I could think it'd be 0.5 or 2 because you could also flip it. And I do it. Right. So then now I would always double check myself with the calculator because we have that. But I used to just do it.

00:56:09
No, no. I'm thoroughly impressed, Bradleyley. Like, yo, Montgomery, you. You and your little sucker.

00:56:17
Because you. You and I are two peas in a pod, probably. That's impressive. Yeah, I can't. I can do.

00:56:23
I can't do any math like, oh, either can I? So don't worry. I got Elizabeth. I call her Rain man because that's my math. I can't I can't do a goddamn thing.

00:56:31
Like. And that's what's been. You know, why. Why, you know, self esteem is so important for me is obviously, I had dyslexia. I didn't get diagnosed probably Till I was 32.

00:56:44
Yeah. You never even heard that word. I never heard the word dyslexia in my life. You know, and how. How I got.

00:56:49
I got my daughter tested. You know, she was in grade two. I'm like, so I just thought I was just stupid. Like, I couldn't do math. You know, I couldn't write.

00:56:58
I couldn't read. You know, all I could do is play hockey. And that's like, I would not get off the ice because there's nothing else I could do. I couldn't because they all thought it was weird. You know, I talked like a Canadian.

00:57:11
They're like, what are you saying? Like, so I had nothing. Yeah, I didn't have a support system. And I didn't have a support system because nobody knew what it was. The word wasn't even spoken about.

00:57:22
Like, I didn't know what that word was. So, like, when I sit back and listen to both of your stories, it's. It's amazing to me. It's a pressure, fresh air. It's pretty spectacular to listen your skills in your Montgomery.

00:57:37
No, you're charming the teacher and getting pissed off because the teacher's too nice back to you. Because then you can't use your tricks to retract the teacher. Right.

00:57:47
How smart and aware you are at such a young age. It's. It really is. You know, I obviously, you know, I make fun of things, but it's pretty spectacular for me to sit back here and to listen to both your stories and how you've gotten where you are and how you've gotten there and how aware you both are. You know, coming from my side over here, Grandpa, I'm very impressed, you know, by both of you.

00:58:14
I appreciate it. I would like to say, though, I mean, I. My final paper for English this semester was gonna. I wanted to write it on how dyslexia affects your ability to play sports, because that was always something that really affected me. Yeah.

00:58:26
But my English teacher said it was a too narrow topic, so I couldn't write it on that. Would they say too narrow of a topic? Yeah, like she said, I wouldn't be able to find enough sources and stuff. Anyways, I had to write it on why social media affects teenagers, which is so lame. But.

00:58:43
No, but that is interesting. And Bradleyley, I think that's something that you should. Because that is. I know. That really affected you.

00:58:48
Yeah. No, I'm gonna write it, like, junior year. I guess it just had to be. If you're bored, you should write it now and then go hand it back to your English teacher here. Not enough resources, right?

00:58:58
Yeah. You've got enough resources in your one hand that you could reach out. Here I am. You know, I played pro for 18 years. You know, I'm one of, I think 1100 people ever in the world to do what I did.

00:59:10
Yeah. No, it's like, I don't. The fact that y'all did that is incredible. I mean, like, I remember them teaching me. Or it'd just be a drill.

00:59:18
I wouldn't be in there, be able to understand the concept of, like, a passing drill. And I just wouldn't know how to do it. Like, I could pass the ball, but it'd be run this way and pass this way. And I'd be like, yeah, dude. Don't know what you're telling me, do.

00:59:30
You, Bradleyley, do you think that. That. Because we. We've. I've talked about this a number of times.

00:59:35
Like, I was always. Like, my coaches would always put me first and humiliate me because I would always get it wrong. And then they would scream at me, be like, don't do it like her. And I would just. Whatever.

00:59:45
But then I would always seem. If I saw someone do it. Do you think some of your anxiety because you were so worried about messing up gotten more of the way than. Because. Yes.

00:59:56
You didn't understand the drills? Because it's, like, hard to understand a drill for sure. Have you ever thought about. Yeah, okay. Yeah.

01:00:03
The anxiety definitely made it worse, but it would be like the dyslexia would be the reason I wouldn't understand it, and then the anxiety would just make me, like, continuously think about it. So even if I would see someone do it eight times, like, I'd be the 10th dude in line because I'd always, like, go to last, which I would Never be the 10th best dude, by the way. I'd always be, like, the best or second best, but I never want to, you know, anyways, so I just keep on second guessing. And then I'd get up to me, and I'd still probably mess up, but then I would, I don't know, perform well in the game because I just play soccer, right? So I.

01:00:39
I think I'm the only. So hockey players. We always. Obviously, our games are always at night, so we practice in the morning, and everybody in the world. I think every pro, pro hockey player took pre game naps except for me.

01:00:52
Like, I'd. It'd be a normal day for me if we're. We're on the road in. In Anaheim. I go to Disneyland, ride rides.

01:00:58
People like, you're so weird. Because the more tired I went to the rink, the less my dyslexia and my ADHD worked. I could play hockey, not think hockey. And what you just said there is. You're thinking whatever sport you're playing.

01:01:15
Hey, Montgomery, you're thinking it, not just reacting. And that's why in a game you could play, you just played and didn't think it. Yeah, that's why. That's what would happen to me a lot. Like what Bradleyley said.

01:01:25
Like, especially, like, I never really dealt with, like, my dyslexia in sports until really this year. Yeah. I remember you calling me and saying, but go ahead. Yeah. Every day I'd have a conversation with my mom and dad.

01:01:39
I'm like, I don't think I can do this. Like, it's just. I just can't get it. And it's probably for like, the first two and a half, three months that I was just like, I just can't do it. Like, I would have teammates, too, and I want one of my teammates I know for a fact is dyslexic.

01:01:57
But then I'd have, like, his roommate. He'd be like, I just never go first. Like, always. Like, if we're on the same line, just let me go in front of you so I can show you. Like, it's so, like, he would do that.

01:02:06
And, like, still, like, I would start getting it, but it's kind of like I started playing better when I would, like, I just would not listen to, like, and it sounds bad, but, like, in the drill, it's like the coach will be like, all right, do this, do this, do this. I just. I just tune it out, don't listen, and I just go, well, did. Would he. You know, and I bridge this topic all the time, you know, and this is one thing I.

01:02:28
I talk about, you know, daily, almost, if not weekly, is we don't learn the same way in the classroom. So we don't. We're not going to learn the same way in sports. Yeah. So I always say, you know, Sam drove 10 miles.

01:02:40
I don't know where the Sam is. So when the coach would say, hey, do this, Would he say, do this, or would he show you? He. For. For the team?

01:02:48
He's like, all right, everyone do like, do this. And then I'd be, like, clearly struggling. I'd be like, coach. And he'd be like, yeah, sorry, sorry, sorry. And then he would.

01:02:56
Would break it down for me. And like I said, like, our assistant coach also has learning disabilities, and our coach coached him years ago, so he kind of, like. And, like, knew he knows how to coach people with learning disabilities because we also have another kid, like I said, with dyslexia. So he would really break it down for me, and then I'd also stay after practice sometimes, and they would break it down for me. And it's just like.

01:03:18
Like, he. That's why I got to give him credit, is because, like, if I was with, like, any other coach that just didn't get it and, like, it shows that he cares a lot, too, because I'm, like, I'm. I was for the most of the season, I was just barely playing on developmental team. Like, so it's, like, for him to, like, care as much as he did for About a player who's not even playing for his first team, much less barely playing for his second team, like, it shows what a good coach he is by just, like, really taking the time to show me, like, what I need to do to improve. But, yeah, he would really break it down in a way that I can understand, because the last three weeks until our season was over, like, I was.

01:03:53
It was the best I've played it in all year, but in a long time, like, I was just, like, I just would get it, like, quick, and then I'd just be able to play. Like, when I can play. Like, I say this not for cockiness, but when I'm playing and not reacting. Like, I. I know.

01:04:08
I don't think a lot of people are better than me, like, just, like, at all. Like, even. Even though people are performing better than me now, it's just like, if I give it a year or two, it's like, once I really get it down, no. 1. I don't think much people are better than me at all, just because once I really get it and don't need to it, my skill is with everyone.

01:04:28
It's just my mind is, like, a lot slower in learning the things I need to learn. So. And it shows that because, like, it just was not working in the beginning of the year for three months. Like, it was exactly three months of. I.

01:04:43
It wasn't even, like, I had a good practice. Like, I would literally up and just play terrible in practice and games for three months. So there was no glimpse of how that I'm like, all right, like, I might be. I don't. Like, maybe I peaked out in high school or maybe like, like I'm good at drills, but not actually when it comes to games.

01:05:03
And that's when you start, like, your confidence just goes down the gutter and you're like, you're like fucked at a point. But you have to like, like once it clicks and it always will like it. Eventually it will click. And I got lucky that it clicked at least during my freshman beginning of my freshman season that I started playing better just because I just, I didn't need to think about it. Like, I just play because I got it well.

01:05:29
And I think one of the things that is really important lesson for everyone to listen to from both of you guys is asking for help is a really important thing. And. But that's because you guys also both have confidence. And the confidence came from your home. Even though there might been times that you waver, you've gotten the support system from people that understand you, and we've given you the ability to say, you know what?

01:05:59
You got to ask. I mean, because Montgomery, I know that there was a couple times where I was like, okay, you need to go talk to Mrs. You know, to Ashley, you know, or when you were doing your accommodations, you're like, no, I'm not going to do this. And then you're like, oh, fuck, I'm going to do it all. Like, it doesn't always feel good, but, you know, okay, I have to do it.

01:06:15
There's things that you have to do that, you know, you, you need to do to get by. And I think that is a testament to both of you guys that you do are like, okay, when it comes down to it, I need to ask for help. Whether it's from a parent, whether it's from a friend, you need to talk to someone. And that's a beautiful thing because you guys are both 19 year old, you know, I'm not going to say men. I was gonna say boys, but I guess like, man boys.

01:06:40
Yes, I said man boys, Brent. And it is like the fact, I know even with soccer monkey, you coming home and being like. But that also is the program that you're at. You did homework. You were like, you know what?

01:06:53
I want to ask the coach. They know that you're going to ask, right? You're not going to go away because you believe in yourself and you know that you have something more to offer. And so you know that you need to be the advocate for yourself and that's one of the things, you know, with word blindness and the Sople foundation, that we really are trying to instill in people is getting that confidence for kids, you know, at a young age, developing it, even if it's a little bit, that they can hold on to that, whether it's a friend that gives it to them, whether it's a parent, whether it's, you know, innately in them, whether it's a teacher. Having that confidence can get you so far in life, and sometimes it can just be that.

01:07:34
It'S definitely one of the most important things through my development. Yeah. No, again, you know, for you both to get out of bed early to join us. Montgomery, thanks for doing your hair.

01:07:51
You know, I know I could go on for hours. And, you know, I just appreciate you guys kind of opening, you know, being open and honest and, you know, talking candidly with us and getting up out of bed early. Yeah. Thank you, guys. Seriously, we appreciate you.

01:08:08
Of course. Oh, wait. Yeah, I was gonna say, do you have any last comments? Yeah, I also, for someone like, this is for my. On my aspect of my dad's side is, like, my mom's dyslexic, so she gets it and stuff.

01:08:24
And for my dad, because now my brother also is distracted. He joined the club recently. Recently. Yeah, He. He, He.

01:08:32
He now added on some. Yeah, Bradleyley, did you know this? Yeah, yeah. Just graphic and just. How cool.

01:08:38
Yeah, yeah. So. So now my dad has three out of the five people in our family who have learning disabilities. So I do have to give him a lot of credit because I know him not being dyslexic at all. And just like, I mean, because if I was not dyslexic and my kid was going through all the.

01:08:55
That I was going through, like, it would get tiring, and I would, like, I'd be like, all right. Like, this is a lot for me to do as a parent. So I have to give him credit, though, because, like, I'm dyslexic. He loves you. Yeah, that's.

01:09:09
That's the thing. Like, he. He. He had to put. Put a lot of time into learning about dyslexia and then putting up with all the.

01:09:18
That I had to go through for the 19 years that I was in the house, so I have to give credit to him. And then obviously, my amazing mother, who helped me a shit ton as well. And then Brent and then Bradleyley. Bradleyley. It's bullshit.

01:09:33
What are we on the back end. Of this last two mentioned. Yeah, sorry. You have the. The bees.

01:09:40
Bradley, did you want to add anything?

01:09:44
I think our grandma deserves. Yes. A lot of thanks as well. She did a great job, and she, I think, educated herself a lot on the topic as well to help both of us. So.

01:09:56
Yeah, no, and it's true. And I know that, you know, Bradleyley, you mentioned pop up really quick. You know, pop up wasn't diagnosed until I was. Yeah. I mean, until I was diagnosed, there was not.

01:10:06
He just was the, you know, the handsome, cute one in his family, but had his mom that, you know, who you guys didn't get to know, but who was his biggest cheerleader. And that's, you know, a lot of times. And Brent always laughs at me, but. But this innate confidence that sometimes people are born with. I do believe I was born with innate confidence.

01:10:26
There's times where, you know, I know even, you know, Aunt Meg's will say, like, yeah, you were confident. In times where we're all like, I don't think she should be confident right now.

01:10:39
You know, and so it is. There is so much to it. But if we can instill that and, you know, from day one and have that support, where we can be that support if someone doesn't have it, it. It is an important thing. And as you guys also are growing older and you see people.

01:10:56
Because it's one in five, right? There's going to be other family members that are diagnosed. You guys, if you have kids, if, you know, your brothers and sisters have kids. And now we have, you know, more knowledge of it. But, like, some of these early things, like how Montgomery grabbed his food, like, that's going to be some.

01:11:13
And when all the grandbabies come, that's the first thing I'm going to be looking at. Oh, okay. This one's got it. You know, when we knew with all our learning disabilities that it was going to be sprinkled through, and it's. It's knowledge is power.

01:11:28
And if we can sit here and create with stories, Stories connect us. And that is what, you know, we all have this red thread through life that there's something that is a little connected. You know, when I met Brent, I know he's looking at a red thread. It's a red thread. It goes with this.

01:11:46
It's the red thread of the heart. Wow. Wow. This is a new one, gentlemen. I've never heard this.

01:11:51
And so she came out of the woodworks with this one. Red thread. Red thread. Red thread. Is that what the.

01:11:57
Isn't that what the Jewish people wear on the wrist? Don't they have a red thread? Don't they? I have no idea. I don't know about this red thread.

01:12:07
No, I'm talking about the heart. Anyways, I had a sentimental thing and you fucked it up. Anyways, thank you for joining. Word blindness, Dyslexia exposed. You guys know what to do, like rate, review and share.

01:12:18
Again, Montgomery and Bradleyley, thank you. Because this episode is going to be so important for so many people. So many people out there that also are have young kids with dyslexia or any of the five Ds that are scared about what their future are. You guys just coming on and sharing your experiences are going to help. So we appreciate you guys.

01:12:37
Thank you guys. Thank you for having us.

My focus is entirely on helping you follow your passion, even when you feel like you've got stuck in crazy town. There is a way out, its me helping you. You don't have to ditch everything in your life that is making you feel overwhelmed and stuck, you just need some help to navigate it.

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