Dauphin County author overcomes challenges from learning disabilities

• Aniya Faulcon
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  Aniya Faulcon is The Spark Host/Producer for WITF. She has a passion for shining a light on unique people, experiences, and perspectives within the community.
  
  Previously she worked as the People and Social Trends Reporter/Video Anchor for LancasterOnline | LNPNews. During her time there, she created video packages, provided Facebook Live coverage at community events, and wrote data-driven stories with census data and feature stories on local leaders, non-profit organizations, events, and people with unique talents and experiences within Lancaster County.
  
  Aniya also worked at WMAR ABC 2 News as a Sales Assistant and at the AFRO American Newspapers as an Executive Assistant and Media correspondent. Aniya interned at WEAA Gospel Grace 88.9 and worked at her alma mater’s radio station, WWPJ at Point Park University, where she gained skills and a passion for radio.
  
  Aniya grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and attended the Baltimore School for the arts for high school with a concentration in acting. She continued to hone her skills and passion for storytelling and later graduated from Point Park University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Broadcast Reporting. Aniya is eager to continue her journey with storytelling in her role with WITF, as she aims to shed a light on real people and real stories within Pennsylvania in a variety of mediums.

 Courtesy of Tremendous Leadership

Airdate: August 15, 2022

Many kids deal with challenges when starting elementary school like finding new friends, adjusting to new teachers, or understanding new concepts; but some deal with those challenges and additional ones that are presented because of learning disabilities.

According to the world health organization, about 15% of the world’s population lives with a disability, this includes about 93 million children and 720 million adults with significant difficulties in functioning.

Jeremy Mutzabaugh, Dauphin County resident and author of Jeremy, Interrupted and Jeremy’s Realization, said he dealt with academic challenges and bullying because of his learning disability.

“I had to find a way to deal with those students, plus different personalities of teachers,” Mutzabaugh said. “It was a lesson in me finding the strength to push myself through my grades to get through school.”

According to Learning Disabilities Statistics and Prevalence, kids with learning disabilities are 31% more likely to be bullied than their classmates without a learning disability.

Although Mutzabaugh dealt with challenges because of his learning disability, he found a way to overcome with faith, a strong support system, and a positive attitude.

“I really have no time for bullies or negative people,” Mutzabaugh said. “Negative people can drag you down and if  you realize you don’t have to listen to them or deal with them, you can keep your happiness. You can keep your peace.”

Mutzabaugh also said he hopes his books help other people dealing with similar situation that he dealt with and helps them find more self-confidence.