dyslexia awareness month By Deandra Dycas
Hiking in Brown County
Lawless Family Lawless Family
MEET THE
Max and Derek Cooking
JULIE, DEREK, ZOE, AND MAX
It is never easy learning that your child has been diagnosed with a learning difference. In fact, hearing those words can send you on a journey of uncertainty. Although we want to retain a positive perspective, if we’re honest, in those difficult moments, that positive light gives way to a flickering flame. However, we can’t remain that way, and Max’s family exemplifies what it means to show courage in hard times, and to be your child’s biggest advocate. Derek, Julie, Max, and Zoe Lawless are from the beautiful hills of Nashville, TN, and now reside in Fishers, IN, a northeastern suburb of Indianapolis. The family moved to Indiana in 2014 when Julie accepted a new career opportunity. The family believes it was the best move they could have made. They feel beyond fortunate to have found Fortune Academy, a small school focused solely on supporting children with all types of learning differences, as well as those with ADHD. In early childhood, Max struggled with reading, writing, and managing his ADHD, especially in the classroom. Those struggles with dyslexia and ADHD caused him to fall behind his peers, which led to a decrease in his self-confidence. When the family moved Max from public school to Fortune Academy, they had no idea what a positive impact that would have on Max’s future. His father Derek states, “He now reads and writes with ease.” Julie and Derek were ecstatic to see how quickly the teaching styles of the Fortune Academy staff cultivated Max’s reading ability. They said it is safe to say that he has gone from dreading
16 Special Needs Living • October 2021
reading to having the excitement that they always believed he would have, with the right support in place. Julie shared that there are two milestones in her son’s journey that she will never forget, and both make her look forward to what is to come. The first was the moment when Max read words on the TV screen after only a short time at Fortune. Shocked, he yelled “I can read that on my own now!” Julie’s heart was warmed with hope, and a little surprise as well. Not the kind of surprise that comes from Walks in the Neighborhood doubting this moment would ever come, but the kind that makes you exhale with gratitude. The second milestone came when Max was asked to write a letter about someone whom he admired and include why that person was so special. He chose his grandfather, who is affectionately known as “Papa Charlie.” Max had so much excitement for this letter that once it was written he wanted to hand-deliver it and Chess with Dad
