Did You Know?

Nearly 20% of the US population struggles with learning disabilities. When individuals with learning disabilities do not receive adequate support and intervention, secondary emotional difficulties (depression and low self-worth) can co-occur. The most unfortunate consequence of unidentified and untreated learning disabilities can lead individuals to follow paths of self-destruction such as, quitting school, drug and alcohol addiction, or even, criminal behavior. A tragic statistic states that as many as 60% of our prison inmates are estimated to have learning disabilities. This is not to say that all individuals with learning disabilities lead hopeless or unsuccessful lives. Some of the most well-known inventors, scientists, business leaders, and artists have learning disabilities. They succeeded largely in part because they found their passions and exercised their inner will and drive.

“Passion is a great slayer of adversity. You find out what you can do well, and you focus on it and work double hard. Everyone likes to do well in life. We aspire to do the best we can with what we’re dealt with.”

–Charles Schwab; a chief executive with Dyslexia.

Charles Schwab, Albert Einstein, Leonardo DaVinci, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, Whoopi Goldberg, and Nelson Rockefeller are just a few people who have succeeded despite their learning disabilities. At Lemon Tree, we prefer to believe that they succeeded BECAUSE of their learning disabilities. A paramount goal at Lemon Tree is to raise our student’s awareness of their gifts as well as to help them unearth their passions. Learning to use gifts and passions fuels dreams and ultimately helps overcome adversity.