Dealing with a Disability

The Farrell Sisters Chapter 6

Note: Unlike the previous chapters which have included flashbacks to Grace's childhood this chapter looks into the future. In A New Life Grace and Oliver discover that Molly is diagnosed with Dyslexia. This chapters is about how Grace's sisters help her deal with Molly's diagnosis and help the couple find ways to help them through their hard time. In this chapter Molly is in 1st grade. In the rest of the story she is 5th grade. We own no rights to any characters from Annie. Grace's sisters are Mandallicious's original characters and we co-created Grace's father George.

Grace Farrell was beside herself the day she found out Molly had dyslexia. The news was very unexpected and she didn't really know how her and Oliver were going to help their youngest deal with her learning disability.

She called her sister Jen on the phone in Chicago the day she found out the news.

"Oh, Jen. I don't know how Oliver and I are going to get through this. We already told Molly about her dyslexia and I know how frustrated she has been with learning how to read."

Jen could tell her sister was close to becoming hysterical.

"Grace, first of all calm down a little bit. I understand this news is shocking but you have to be there for Molly to help her through this."

"I promised her that Oliver Annie and I would always be there to help her… but Jen I just don't want to see my baby struggle."

"I know you don't want to see her struggle Gracie but not everything about life is easy."

Grace dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "I suppose you're right."

"The next time we come to visit do you want Kathryn to sit with her and help her practice her reading?"

Grace smiled. "I think Molly would really appreciate all the help she can get."

Suddenly Grace heard the door creek open Molly peeked in the room.

"Hi, baby, I'm on the phone with Aunt Jen. I'll be there to help you with your reading in just a second."

Molly looked up and saw her mother crying. "Mommy, why are you sad?"

"Jen, I need to go now. Molly just came in the room."

"Okay Gracie, remember be strong for your daughter. I love you."

"I love you too."

Grace hung up the phone and patted a spot beside her on the bed; Molly jumped up and snuggled into her mother's side immediately.

"Why are you sad Mommy?" she repeated.

"Well, I was telling Aunt Jen about the meeting Daddy and I had with your teacher today about your dyslexia. How are you handling the news sweetheart?"

Molly looked at the bedspread.

"Mommy, I'm sorry for making you sad."

Grace hugged her daughter. "Oh baby girl, I'm not sad… just worried about you. I just want to be sure you're going to be okay."

Molly was quiet for five minutes then Grace noticed that she was crying.

"What's the matter sweetheart?"

"Some kids in my class make fun of me because I can't read as good as them."

Grace's heart broke and she gathered her daughter in her arms rocking her back and forth.

"What do they say?"

"They say I read too slow and that my writing and that I don't write some of my letters right."

"Do they call you names?"

"No, not really…. They just say those really mean things."

Grace hated to hear that Molly was being teased by her classmates.

"Do you want me to talk to your teacher about this sweetheart?"

Molly nodded burying her face into her mother's neck letting out gut-wrenching sobs.

"Shhh. Molly, don't cry baby girl." Grace continued to rock her daughter back and forth until her sobs quieted.

"I love you Mommy."

"I love you too Molly. Daddy and Annie too. We all want to help you through this the best that we can, okay?"

Molly nodded. "Okay. Did Aunt Jen say she was going to help me too?"

Grace smiled. "She said Kathryn was going to help you with your reading when they come to visit for the holidays."

"Can Annie and Kathryn teach me together?"

"I don't see why not."

Grace dried her daughter's tears and took her by the hand. "Come on, sweetheart. Let me go help you with your reading and then we can go check on dinner."

"Okay Mommy."

Grace promised herself to set up a meeting with Molly's teacher as soon as possible about the teasing.

Mrs. Pugh noticed that Grace looked a bit distracted all through dinner, after the table was all cleared she patted her surrogate daughter on the shoulder.

"Come darling, we'll go to my room and have a talk."

Grace nodded and followed Mrs. Pugh up to her bedroom.

Once they got into the room and closed the door Grace collapsed on the bed and burst into tears.

Mrs. Pugh sat down on the bed rubbed Grace's back comfortingly.

"Gracie Liz." She whispered

Grace looked up and in a moment the older woman had her swept up in her arms rocking her as she had been rocking Molly earlier that afternoon.

"What's the matter sweetheart?"

Mrs. Pugh waited until Grace's tears slowed, reaching for a handkerchief in her pocket to dry them. Once Grace composed herself a little bit she spoke still taking comfort in the warmth of the older woman's embrace.

Oh, Mama. I'm just so worried about Molly."

"Her dyslexia diagnosis has you all tied up in knots doesn't it?"

Grace nodded and fresh tears started to fall.

"She told me that some kids in her class have been teasing her because of her dyslexia."

Mrs. Pugh nodded sympathetically. "Some children are just so cruel."

"I want her to be happy in school Mama. I don't want to feel alone or like an outcast because of her disability."

"I'm sure her teacher must be aware that the teasing is going on and is doing something to control it."

"I would hope so… I hope there are some kids in her class that will be willing to try to help with her reading."

"How many kids are in Molly's class?"

"Probably about 24."

"I'm sure for every one child that makes fun of her there must be one or two that would be willing to help her with her reading."

Grace buried her face into Mrs. Pugh's chest as her tears continued to fall.

"Shh, darling. It's alright." Mrs. Pugh continued to rub Grace's back.

Grace looked up into Mrs. Pugh's eyes

"I know I have to be strong for Molly but when she told me she was being teased my heart just broke in half."

"Well hopefully since you contacted the disability earlier you'll be able to get the right kind of treatment so that way it will be easier for her to deal with later in life."

"That's another thing I'm confused about.. what kind of treatments would there be?"

Mrs. Pugh shrugged I don't really know. " Have you and Oliver considered homeschooling her?"

Grace was shocked at this suggestion. "The thought never crossed our minds. We certainly don't want to isolate her."

"You won't be. I'm sure she'll make friends in school eventually.. she's a sweet girl. If you decide to homeschool her she can still have her friends over her for play dates and parties."

"Alright, I'll discuss this with Oliver and see what he says… he might not like the idea."

"Are you going to meet with Molly's teacher about the teasing?"

"Yes, sometime later this week I'm hoping."

Grace kissed Mrs. Pugh's cheek.

"I love you Mama."

Mrs. Pugh stroked back the stray hairs on Grace's forehead and returned the kiss ."

"I love you too my beautiful precious girl."

That Thursday Grace set up a private meeting with Molly's teacher to talk about the teasing.

"Mrs. Warbucks I assure you we are doing the best we can to make sure that Molly is happy in our classroom. I have talked to the students a few times about teasing Molly but for some reason they don't seem to listen to me when I tell them to stop."

Grace was crying again. "Mrs. Richards, you don't understand how much this has been upsetting Molly. She is worried none of the kids will like her."

Molly's teacher reached out and took Grace's hand in hers. "Mrs. Warbucks, there are only 3 or 4 children who have been making fun of your daughter and I'm doing my best to get them to stop. A few other students have stepped up and offered to help Molly with her reading and writing."

Grace smiled through her tears. "Well that's certainly comforting to know. You also said you have a few reading specialists helping her too correct?"

Mrs. Richards nodded her head. " Yes, I have two learning specialists helping Molly everyday."

"Has she showed any progress?"

"Not very much but she's very bright so I'm sure she will be up to speed with the rest of her classmates soon."

"Do you suppose homeschooling her would be a good idea?"

The teacher looked at her thoughtfully. "It's only the fourth week of school Mrs. Warbucks. If she doesn't show much progress by before the Thanksgiving holiday then homeschooling might be something you and Mr. Warbucks may want to consider. In the meanwhile continue doing what you're doing at home."

Grace stood up. "Thank you for meeting with me Mrs. Richards. I feel better now knowing that my daughter is getting the help that she needs to be successful in your classroom."

Mrs. Richards reached out and shook Grace's hand. "If you have any more concerns we can always set up another meeting."

Grace walked out of the school feeling a lot better than she had going into the meeting.