I was never expected to be able to read. My twin sister and I were born three months early. Doctors told my parents that we would have learning disabilities. By 3 years old, I was average height, potty-trained, but neither my sister nor I had yet to say a word. On the first day of preschool, my mother told the teachers, "They don't talk yet." But listening to my older siblings recite their spelling words had me intrigued. One day after first grade, I went to the library and checked out three beginning readers books. I had slowly taught myself to read, with help from my parents and teachers. I was gabbing out words by this time, and it was hard to get me to stop. I will always remember those large-print, big-picture books that taught me the most important skill of my life.
Inga Capistrant-Kinney, Clearwater Middle School, Waconia
