I'm Dyslexic, Not Stupid

By Mongi Maphipha

Many children are victims of learning disorders and disabilities. In this book the author speaks about the causes, signs and preventive measures for the following disorders and disabilities; Autisms, Slow Learning, Dyslexia etc. Many children spend many years repeating classes because they suffer from a learning disorder, and niether the educator or parent/guardian is aware of this. The signs may be there but if the people involved don't know what to look for the child suffers more. With this book the author is trying to parents/gaurdians, educators and children aware. Read this book, look at your child. If you notice or suspect a certain sign that cause you worry take your child to the right person immediately. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mongi Maphipha
• Release date: Feb 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393766551

Book preview

MONGI MAPHIPHA

REFINED TALENT BOOKS

CONTENTS

1. Anorexia 1

2. Albinism 5

3. Asthma 10

4. Autism 14

5. Bullying 19

6. Bulimia 22

7. Codeine Abuse 27

8. I’m Dyslexic, Not Stupid 31

9. Teacher Under Attack 35

10. Obesity 38

11. Predator Teacher 42 

12. Self-Cutting 46

13. Slow Learning 50

14. Stammering 54

15. Teen Pregnancy 58

ANOREXIA

"Look at her. What a hippo," said Lerato, laughing. Her three friends laughed along. Princess, a thirteen-year-old girl didn't laugh out loud though. Her thin friends were very quick to notice a big bum or thigh. Any girl that looked fat soon knew how ‘unpretty’ she was. But for some reasons Princess got away with her own big body.

Her friends were thin. Collarbones stood out. Their ribs could be counted from a distance. Big knees stood out of their small legs. The girls didn't look healthy at all. But then, many international models and actresses looked the same and they were worshipped by billions of fans from all corner of earth.

Princess got away with her fleshy body because her father was famous. Because of Princess's father's fame the four girls were popular. The other three girls got popular only because they were friends with her. Without Princess they were nothing but a bunch of no-name young women.

These girls felt special. They didn't talk to other learners. During the lunch break they stood alone, separating themselves from other learners. If one learner tried to get closer they were chased like had the plague. The Fabulous Four were not to be mixed with or disturbed. They were a different breed.

Princess and her friends aspired to be famous dancers. That is why they all attended ballet classes. Because of their small bodies they were nimble on the dance floor. Their parents broke their back to afford the fees and the dance uniform. The school had different colors of leotards for different levels and different days. That bore holes in their parents’ pockets.

The poor parents didn't want to disappoint their children or embarrass them in front of their friends. With hidden pain, they forked out money for expensive clothes, school bags. The teeth that were straight and strong suddenly needed Lingual braces that could set back the parents up to R50, 000. 00.

Princess, as the only child, got everything she wanted. Fitting in was important to her. She didn't have anyone to play with at home. Boredom almost sent her into a comma. Having her friends over helped chase away the loneliness. Her parents noticed how thin her friends were. One look at them sent a shiver down their spines. How could a child be so thin?

They were thankful that their daughter was fleshy. She ate whatever she wanted to eat, without stressing about gaining weight. Yes, she wanted to be the best ballet dancer. She looked up to international dancers. Her ultimate dream was to be like them. The only problem with this dream was that most, if not all, those dancers looked sickly. It was hard to believe that they ate all.

It was a well-known fact that many resorted to drastic measures to keep their weight down. They starved themselves so much that some ended in doctor's room. Their bodies got so emaciated they resembled starving children from countries that are ravaged by war. Not many knew about their visits to the doctors. They disappeared and then showed up fresh again. Their fans didn't know the hard treatment they went through to keep their lives.

Naomi had a meeting with our President. The whole president! exclaimed Pearl. Naomi was her idol. Her success inspired her. If she could grow up to be as successful as Naomi she would never bother God with other requests. Pearl's desire to be like Naomi was motivated more by her own height, skin colour and weight. Her weight was the result of strict diet though.

I am going to meet the president one day, Natasha vowed. She put her all in her dance. She knew that to be famous and successful you had to put in the hard work. You could dream all you like but if that was all you did things would remain the same. It didn't escape her that her dance school charged an arm and the leg. Her parents were making a big sacrifice to send her there. That's why she worked harder than her friends.

You are such a dreamer, Tash. teased Lerato, shoving her friend playfully. Your chances of meeting the President are as slim as an antelope becoming friends with a leopard in the wilderness.

If I work hard and stay focus I will meet the world’s Presidents, Watch this space. Natasha answered confidently.

That's the attitude, my friend. assured Princess. Many probably didn't believe Naomi when she said one day she would meet Presidents. With her determination how many Presidents has she met already?

Bianca is losing quite a lot of gigs and endorsements, said Lerato.

Who is Bianca? asked Natasha.

Duh! The most talented dancer from Ireland. I cannot believe you don't know Bianca. You must stop living under rocks, Tash, serious. complained Lerato, rolling her eyes.

Isn't it that same dancer that was caught in a drug scandal? asked Princess, concerned.

She was set up by her competition. Lerato defended her dance idol.

Yeah, right. Natasha didn't believe the lame excuse.

First all, she was not convicted for those drugs. Secondly, everybody in the industry uses drugs. How do you think they endure all these gruelling hours of travel and performances? Lerato gave Natasha a mocking look. Natasha may be the most beautiful and most nimble girl among her friends but she was not as well-informed.

If I'm gonna need drugs to become a famous dancer I'd rather be a cashier. Natasha pointed out defiantly.

Why did she lose all her endorsements, asked Pearl.

Her weight is the problem. Most of her endorsements, if not all are from companies that promote weight loss programs. Now imagine your model gaining weight while promoting your brand. It's a no no, Lerato explained, shaking her head in disbelief. Not only that, her performance hasn't been the best. She can't carry the fat in her body.

The fact that Bianca was a little over 55kg didn't rescue her from the weight police. They called her fat and slow. On the dance floor she couldn't jump as high as she was expected. To the experts she was becoming an embarrassment. Her manager suggested that she took time off the limelight and work with her fitness trainer and a dietician.

That was the pressure the four young girls didn't take into consideration in their quest to become rich and famous. All they saw were fans, trips around the globe. The best hotels and meeting Presidents and influential people of this world. The cost that all this came with was far from their young minds.

If you don't want problems in your older years you need to work hard on your weight now. That is why I read every diet magazine I can lay my hands on. A member of the Fabulous Four must never be caught in this embarrassing mess, ladies. Lerato preached, burning her friends with serious eyes. They don't call us Fabulous Four for nothing. We must live up to our name. We don't wear rags. We don't eat junk. And we definitely don't gain weight. she demanded, her eyes settling on Princess.

The four girls looked at each other. Each judging the next. Princess knew that she was not the thinnest. She was fresh and bigger than her friends. She could tell that Natasha and Pearl envied her round bums and curves. According to Lerato, big bums spelled fat in the future.

It was a well-known secret that any friend that got fat would be cast away. One girl was a member of the Fabulous Four until she gained a bit of weight. The other three members didn't hesitate to cast her away. She became the laughing stock of the school. She was laughed at because all the girls wanted to be the members of the Fabulous Four. To see one thrown out of the group excited the envious enemies.

To be cast away by the Fabulous Four was not only an embarrassment but was a life sentence in the loneliness prison. Princess needed her friends like a desert traveller needed water. She couldn't afford to lose them. Her famous father was the only reason she was still a member. Something needed to be done. Fast.

Princess went to the chemist and stocked half a dozen of laxatives. The chemist was surprised by such amount. But he was in business of making money and simple told Princess to be sure to read the 'direction for use' section, and took the money.

Her parents got worried when she started choosing her food carefully. From her pocket money she stocked up on fruit and vegetables. Suddenly, the fridge had more spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, and carrots. Apples, clementines and lemons appeared everywhere in the house.

All of sudden Princess refused to eat red meat, chicken with skin and high-fat cheese. These have always been her favourite foods. It was strange that in one day they became enemies. Her mother put it down to a harmless adolescence stage. She teased her about not eating her favourite fried red meat.

Because Princess didn't want the constant digs from her mother she ate a few pieces of the meat. She had a secret weapon that was well-hidden far from the curious eyes. Every day she drank two Laxative pills. As a result most of her time was spent in the toilet.

Fruits and vegetables were good for her health. She ate more of them and less of red meat and deep fried fish. That should have kept her