Marie A

I am a college student with a learning disability and because of this I require the help of tutors to get me through my classes. In previous years at school when I sign up for a peer tutoring appointment I always have disclosed my learning disability to the tutor so they can better help me. But I have encountered many tutors who have laughed, refused to help me, or treat me like an overall idiot when I tell them that I have a learning disability. Naturally I avoided the peer tutoring center for awhile but eventually I needed to go back in for help on a paper. I signed up for a tutoring session with Marie because I had heard she was nice. She introduced herself, shook my hand, and started the tutoring session by just asking me how my day went and stuff like that. She was so sweet that I felt comfortable telling her about my learning disability. Her response startled me--she didn't laugh, judge, or mock me, didn't shove me off to another tutor because she felt uncomfortable, didn't refuse to help. All she said was that she appreciated me trusting her enough to disclose my disability to her and that she was still willing to help me regardless of my academic problems. She even worked with me well past the set tutoring time we had planned--past when she was supposed to get off of work. She ended up helping me more than any one ever has, not only because she is smart but because she was so kind and understanding. She made me feel more respected in one hour than I have felt by peers or professors here in years. She is my hero.

Submitted by Anonymous

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