Navigating Professional and Military Life with Dyslexia and ADHD
Latisha Nickerson, RN, NP, MHM
IG:@purpleheart2k09
Navigating professional and military life with dyslexia and ADHD can present unique challenges, especially as a Black woman. While these conditions are already associated with stigma, they can be compounded by biases related to race, gender, and the expectations of the military or other professional fields. Here are some key points to consider:
1. **Understanding the Impact:**
- **Dyslexia:** This learning disability primarily affects reading, writing, and language processing, making it harder to process information quickly. In a high-paced military or professional setting, this might manifest as difficulty keeping up with written communication, orders, or technical manuals.
- **ADHD:** This neurodevelopmental disorder can impact focus, organization, and time management. The structured and rigid nature of the military might conflict with ADHD tendencies, potentially leading to misunderstandings or perceived underperformance.
- **Intersectionality:** Being a Black woman adds layers to this experience, as racial and gender stereotypes can lead to biases about capability, leadership potential, or professionalism. These stigmas might make it harder to seek accommodations or support without being judged unfairly.
2. **Navigating the Military Environment:**
- The military has a culture of toughness and self-reliance, which can make it difficult to seek help for neurodiverse conditions. Mental health and cognitive differences are often viewed as weaknesses, further complicating the process of self-advocacy.
- Understanding your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeking support through military or veteran programs is crucial. Finding advocates within the system who are aware of neurodiversity can help create a supportive environment.
- Seeking medical documentation and appropriate accommodations through resources such as the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) can be beneficial. Accommodations may include extra time on written tests, verbal instructions, or assistive technology.
3. **Workplace Challenges:**
- As a Black woman professional, microaggressions or implicit biases may already be present. Adding in the stigma around dyslexia and ADHD can amplify scrutiny. It may lead to your competence being questioned or your capabilities being underestimated.
- Managing expectations and being transparent with trusted supervisors or peers can sometimes mitigate misunderstandings. However, the decision to disclose must be made carefully, considering the potential impact on career progression and the professional environment.
4. **Coping Strategies:**
- **Organization Tools:** Use digital tools like task managers, alarms, and note-taking apps to help manage ADHD symptoms. Creating structured routines that accommodate the flexibility needed for ADHD can be beneficial.
- **Visual Aids and Audiobooks:** For dyslexia, using audiobooks, text-to-speech software, and visual aids can make processing information more manageable.
- **Mentorship and Support Groups:** Connecting with other minority women, particularly those with similar experiences, can provide a sense of solidarity and shared understanding. Groups like the National Black Disability Coalition or Women Veterans Interactive can offer resources and mentorship.
5. **Advocacy and Self-Empowerment:**
- Being a professional in the military while managing ADHD and dyslexia means you may find yourself in a unique position to advocate for change. By sharing your story and helping to reduce stigma, you can be a voice for others who might face similar struggles.
- Organizations like the Dyslexia Foundation and CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) have resources tailored for minority communities, which can help bridge the gap in understanding these conditions.
Navigating these challenges involves recognizing your strengths, finding strategies that work for you, and identifying support networks that understand the intersectional barriers you face as a Black woman, a professional, and a person managing ADHD and dyslexia.
Grant writing is a critical skill, particularly if you’re advocating for resources or support for minority veterans and their families. As a Black woman professional managing ADHD and dyslexia, engaging in grant writing may present unique challenges but also opportunities to leverage these experiences to make compelling cases for funding. Here’s how you can navigate and excel in this area:
1. **Leverage Personal and Professional Experience:**
- Use your lived experience and professional expertise to tell a compelling story that highlights the impact of your work and the populations you serve. As someone navigating the intersection of multiple identities, you can authentically describe the systemic barriers and unique needs of minority veterans.
- When writing, emphasize why funding is crucial not only for addressing visible needs but also for creating inclusive spaces that consider the cognitive diversity of veterans (e.g., those with ADHD, dyslexia, PTSD).
2. **Grant Writing Challenges for ADHD and Dyslexia:**
- **ADHD and Attention Management:** Grant writing requires focus, organization, and attention to detail—areas that ADHD may affect. It can be hard to maintain the sustained attention needed for complex applications.
- **Dyslexia and Language Processing:** For dyslexic writers, organizing ideas, spelling, and grammar may pose additional hurdles. Grant applications often require clarity and precision, making it necessary to refine and review multiple drafts.
3. **Strategies to Enhance Grant Writing with ADHD and Dyslexia:**
- **Break Down the Process:** Divide the application into smaller, manageable parts. Set specific goals for sections like the narrative, budget, and objectives. Use digital tools like [Trello](https://trello.com/) or [Todoist](https://todoist.com/) to track progress and deadlines.
- **Utilize Writing Software:** Leverage assistive technology such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid for editing support. For dyslexia, text-to-speech tools like NaturalReader or Speechify can help you listen to your drafts and catch errors.
- **Use Visual Aids and Templates:** Create visual story maps or flowcharts for your grant narrative. For dyslexics, visually organizing ideas before writing helps in structuring complex thoughts into a linear, coherent format.
- **Set Up Review Systems:** Partner with trusted colleagues or mentors to review your drafts. Fresh perspectives can catch issues related to clarity and grammar, and reduce cognitive load by sharing the editing process.
4. **Positioning the Grant Application:**
- **Highlight Inclusion and Diversity:** Given your unique perspective, frame your organization’s work as addressing systemic inequities and promoting cognitive diversity. Position the grant as a tool to bridge gaps for minority veterans facing intersectional challenges, such as navigating mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions.
- **Use Data and Personal Narratives:** Combine statistical data with personal stories that reflect your lived experience as a professional with ADHD and dyslexia. This combination is powerful for funders, as it balances quantitative impact with human stories.
- **Address Challenges Transparently:** In some cases, discussing the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals—including yourself—can add authenticity and urgency to your application. This approach works particularly well with funders interested in disability rights, mental health, and inclusivity.
5. **Grant Writing Resources and Support:**
- **Online Grant Writing Courses:** Consider taking online workshops, such as those offered by the Foundation Center or Grant Professionals Association, to refine your skills.
- **Grant Writing Assistance Programs:** Explore programs tailored to military and minority communities, such as the [Veterans Grant Writing Certification Program](https://veteransgcp.org/) or services provided through the Minority Veterans of America.
- **Community Support and Networking:** Connect with other grant writers who share similar experiences through LinkedIn groups or local chapters of grant writing associations. Networking can provide both mentorship and emotional support.
6. **Advocating Through Grant Writing:**
- Your position as a Black woman professional advocating for minority veterans allows you to use grant writing as a tool for systemic change. Use your applications to highlight gaps in services, barriers to access, and the need for culturally competent programming.
- Consider framing your proposals around developing new resources for veterans with ADHD and dyslexia. Use your understanding of these conditions to create programs that focus on education, training, or support services for veterans who face similar struggles.
By integrating these strategies, you can navigate the challenges posed by ADHD and dyslexia while turning your lived experiences into strengths that enhance the impact of your grant applications. Grant writing, while demanding, can become a powerful platform for advocating for resources and support for marginalized communities, ensuring that diverse voices and needs are represented and funded.
Adding the intersection of dyslexia and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the context of being a Black woman professional in the military can further complicate experiences and the approach to grant writing and professional life. A TBI can exacerbate existing dyslexia symptoms and introduce new cognitive and emotional challenges. Here's an expanded approach to managing this intersection while highlighting how it can shape your professional and advocacy work:
1. **Understanding the Impact of Dyslexia and TBI:**
- **Dyslexia Symptoms:** Dyslexia primarily affects reading, writing, and language processing. Symptoms may include difficulty decoding words, problems with reading fluency, and challenges with spelling.
- **TBI Symptoms:** Depending on the severity, a TBI can lead to a range of cognitive and emotional difficulties, such as memory loss, slower information processing, impaired concentration, and mood changes. When combined with dyslexia, these challenges can amplify struggles with reading comprehension, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.
- **Intersectional Effects:** For Black women in professional or military settings, these conditions can be misunderstood or misattributed to lack of competence or focus, leading to increased scrutiny and bias. The stigma surrounding cognitive disabilities, especially when compounded by race and gender, can make it harder to seek help or disclose these issues in a workplace environment.
2. **Navigating Professional Life with Dyslexia, TBI, and ADHD:**
- The military and many professional fields emphasize precision and quick response, which can be daunting when managing dyslexia and TBI. Memory lapses or slower cognitive processing might be interpreted as a lack of diligence.
- **Strategic Accommodations:** Advocate for reasonable accommodations like extra time on tasks, alternative methods of instruction (verbal instead of written), and structured feedback. Tools like digital planners, voice recording devices, and memory aids can support daily responsibilities.
- **Communication and Self-Advocacy:** While disclosing your conditions might be sensitive, selectively sharing information with trusted supervisors can create an understanding environment. Seek allies who can advocate for neurodiverse professionals and push for inclusive policies.
3. **Approach to Grant Writing:**
Writing grants with a combination of dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI can feel overwhelming due to the concentration, planning, and language skills required. Implementing targeted strategies can help streamline the process and enhance your effectiveness:
- **Breaking Down Tasks:**
- **Pre-Writing:** Before you start the narrative, outline your ideas using mind maps or bullet points. Organize content visually to accommodate any visual processing difficulties associated with dyslexia or TBI.
- **Drafting and Editing:** Use writing software that accommodates both dyslexia and TBI, such as *Ginger Software* or *Kurzweil 3000*, which offer spelling support, text-to-speech, and structured writing templates.
- **Time Management and Deadlines:**
- Set realistic timelines that account for cognitive fatigue and potential slower processing due to TBI. Use reminders, digital calendars, and timers to break writing into shorter, manageable sessions.
- Create dedicated “deep work” time slots to minimize distractions, which is essential for those managing ADHD and cognitive fluctuations due to TBI.
- **Utilizing Support Networks:**
- Seek grant-writing mentors or collaborators who understand your cognitive needs. Having a co-writer or a professional editor can reduce the cognitive burden and help transform your ideas into a polished proposal.
- Consider working with grant consultants, particularly for complex or large-scale applications, to ensure that the narrative is clear, cohesive, and aligned with funder requirements.
4. **Positioning the Grant Narrative:**
When writing grants for your organization or project, consider highlighting the intersection of dyslexia, TBI, and veteran health in your narrative. Use your lived experience to underscore the need for inclusive programming that addresses the unique cognitive challenges faced by minority veterans.
- **Highlight Neurodiversity and Accessibility:** Proposals can emphasize the need for programming that provides cognitive rehabilitation, support services, and educational resources for veterans dealing with dyslexia and TBIs.
- **Cultural and Contextual Awareness:
** Incorporate culturally competent language and frameworks that address the specific challenges faced by minority communities. This can include focusing on disparities in access to cognitive rehabilitation or advocating for more inclusive mental health resources.
- **Data and Personal Experience:** Use both quantitative data (e.g., the prevalence of TBIs among Black women veterans) and qualitative narratives to build a persuasive case for funding. The intersection of these identities and conditions often goes unaddressed in veteran health programming, creating a strong need for tailored support.
5. **Strategies for Success in Grant Writing:**
- **Focus on Strengths:** Frame your unique perspective as an advantage. The combination of your military experience, lived experience with dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI, and your work with minority veterans makes you uniquely positioned to advocate for systemic change.
- **Build a Team of Allies:** Consider establishing a team approach to grant writing, where you lead the conceptualization and advocacy elements while relying on team members for technical writing or budgeting support.
- **Invest in Assistive Technology:** Tools like *Dragon NaturallySpeaking* for dictation, *MindMeister* for brainstorming, and *Scrivener* for organizing long-form writing can reduce cognitive load and support clarity.
6. **Advocacy and Professional Growth:**
- **Mentorship and Networking:** Connect with other professionals managing similar conditions. Organizations like the *National Organization on Disability* and *Black Veterans Project* may have resources or mentorship opportunities for navigating professional settings with these conditions.
- **Creating Inclusive Programs:** Consider developing proposals aimed at creating inclusive services for veterans with dyslexia and TBI, focusing on rehabilitation, cognitive training, and career readiness. Use your grants to address gaps in support and build a framework that respects and uplifts neurodiverse veterans.
7. **Potential Funding Sources:**
- **Veteran-Focused Grant Programs:** The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and organizations like the *Bob Woodruff Foundation* or *Disabled Veterans National Foundation* may have funding specifically for TBI and mental health programs.
- **Disability and Inclusion Grants:** Look into grants from foundations focused on neurodiversity and disability inclusion, such as the *Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation* or the *Neurodiversity in the Workplace Fund*.
- **Health and Rehabilitation Grants:** The *Brain Injury Association of America* and the *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)* often support projects aimed at TBI rehabilitation and research.
By taking a structured and tailored approach, you can manage the complexities of writing and advocating for funding while using your unique experience to highlight critical gaps in services. Ultimately, this creates a powerful opportunity to leverage your story and expertise to secure resources that support both your mission and the broader community.
Incorporating motivational quotes can provide inspiration and encouragement, particularly when facing challenges as a Black woman professional managing dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI. Here are some empowering quotes to keep you grounded and focused:
**1. For Overcoming Challenges:**
- *“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”*
— **Maya Angelou**
- *“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”*
— **Rikki Rogers**
- *“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”*
— **Winston Churchill**
**2. For Building Resilience:**
- *“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”*
— **Louisa May Alcott**
- *“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”*
— **Confucius**
- *“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”*
— **Nido Qubein**
**3. For Embracing Identity and Intersectionality:**
- *“It’s not our differences that divide us. It’s our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”*
— **Audre Lorde**
- *“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.”*
— **Mae Jemison**
- *“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.”*
— **Audre Lorde**
**4. For Grant Writing and Advocacy:**
- *“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”*
— **Ida B. Wells**
- *“The best way to make dreams come true is to wake up.”*
— **Mae Jemison**
- *“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”*
— **Shirley Chisholm**
**5. For Self-Confidence and Belief:**
- *“You are your best thing.”*
— **Toni Morrison**
- *“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.”*
— **Madam C.J. Walker**
- *“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”*
— **Maya Angelou**
These quotes can be used as daily affirmations or incorporated into personal journals, vision boards, or presentations to uplift your spirit and remind you of your strength and purpose.
Here is an advocacy note written from Latisha Nickerson’s perspective, reflecting her personal journey as a Black woman navigating the complexities of her career and life:
**Advocacy Note: My Journey as a Black Woman Professional and Advocate for Minority Veterans**
My name is Latisha Nickerson, and I am proud to be a Black woman navigating the intersections of personal, professional, and social challenges as I advocate for minority veterans and their families. My journey has been filled with triumphs and setbacks, all of which have shaped my passion for advocacy and the pursuit of equity for underrepresented communities. I share my story not only as a means of personal reflection but to inspire others who may be walking a similar path.
**Facing Challenges with Dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI**
Throughout my professional career, I have managed the complexities of dyslexia, ADHD, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained during my time in the military. These conditions have significantly impacted the way I work, communicate, and organize my thoughts. Dyslexia makes reading and writing more time-consuming, while ADHD presents challenges in focus and time management. The TBI I sustained has only amplified these struggles, sometimes causing memory lapses or slower cognitive processing.
However, these challenges have not deterred me from pursuing my goals. In fact, they have strengthened my resolve to push forward and advocate for individuals like me—those who are often overlooked or misunderstood because of cognitive or neurological conditions.
**Navigating the Military as a Black Woman**
As a Black woman, my journey has been even more complex due to the systemic barriers rooted in both race and gender. In the military, I often found myself fighting not only for my place as a professional but also for the right to be seen as capable, competent, and worthy of leadership. I encountered biases and microaggressions that made it harder to advocate for myself, especially when it came to requesting accommodations for my dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI.
But through these challenges, I’ve learned the importance of resilience. I’ve embraced my identity as a Black woman and a neurodiverse individual, knowing that my lived experiences make me a stronger leader and a more empathetic advocate.
**Advocating for Minority Veterans**
In my work with minority veterans and their families, I see daily the intersectional challenges they face. Veterans of color often grapple with disparities in access to mental health care, employment opportunities, and educational resources—issues that are compounded when neurodiversity or other disabilities are part of the picture. My personal journey allows me to deeply empathize with their struggles, and it motivates me to fight for change at both the policy level and the individual level.
Whether I am writing grants to secure funding for programs or providing direct support to veterans in need, my mission is to ensure that all veterans, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, have access to the resources and support systems they deserve. I work tirelessly to break down barriers and create spaces where veterans and their families can thrive.
**Embracing My Role as an Advocate**
I share my story to highlight the importance of embracing both our challenges and our strengths. My journey has been filled with obstacles, but it has also been filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and lead. As I continue to advocate for those who are often marginalized, I find strength in knowing that my experiences—as a Black woman, as someone living with dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI—uniquely equip me to fight for justice and equity.
To those who are on a similar path, I want to remind you that your voice matters. Your story matters. And most importantly, you matter. Advocacy begins with acknowledging our own worth, and from there, we can work to uplift those around us. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
This note highlights Latisha’s personal and professional journey, offering both vulnerability and empowerment as she advocates for change in her community.
1. **Understanding the Impact:**
- **Dyslexia:** This learning disability primarily affects reading, writing, and language processing, making it harder to process information quickly. In a high-paced military or professional setting, this might manifest as difficulty keeping up with written communication, orders, or technical manuals.
- **ADHD:** This neurodevelopmental disorder can impact focus, organization, and time management. The structured and rigid nature of the military might conflict with ADHD tendencies, potentially leading to misunderstandings or perceived underperformance.
- **Intersectionality:** Being a Black woman adds layers to this experience, as racial and gender stereotypes can lead to biases about capability, leadership potential, or professionalism. These stigmas might make it harder to seek accommodations or support without being judged unfairly.
2. **Navigating the Military Environment:**
- The military has a culture of toughness and self-reliance, which can make it difficult to seek help for neurodiverse conditions. Mental health and cognitive differences are often viewed as weaknesses, further complicating the process of self-advocacy.
- Understanding your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeking support through military or veteran programs is crucial. Finding advocates within the system who are aware of neurodiversity can help create a supportive environment.
- Seeking medical documentation and appropriate accommodations through resources such as the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) can be beneficial. Accommodations may include extra time on written tests, verbal instructions, or assistive technology.
3. **Workplace Challenges:**
- As a Black woman professional, microaggressions or implicit biases may already be present. Adding in the stigma around dyslexia and ADHD can amplify scrutiny. It may lead to your competence being questioned or your capabilities being underestimated.
- Managing expectations and being transparent with trusted supervisors or peers can sometimes mitigate misunderstandings. However, the decision to disclose must be made carefully, considering the potential impact on career progression and the professional environment.
4. **Coping Strategies:**
- **Organization Tools:** Use digital tools like task managers, alarms, and note-taking apps to help manage ADHD symptoms. Creating structured routines that accommodate the flexibility needed for ADHD can be beneficial.
- **Visual Aids and Audiobooks:** For dyslexia, using audiobooks, text-to-speech software, and visual aids can make processing information more manageable.
- **Mentorship and Support Groups:** Connecting with other minority women, particularly those with similar experiences, can provide a sense of solidarity and shared understanding. Groups like the National Black Disability Coalition or Women Veterans Interactive can offer resources and mentorship.
5. **Advocacy and Self-Empowerment:**
- Being a professional in the military while managing ADHD and dyslexia means you may find yourself in a unique position to advocate for change. By sharing your story and helping to reduce stigma, you can be a voice for others who might face similar struggles.
- Organizations like the Dyslexia Foundation and CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) have resources tailored for minority communities, which can help bridge the gap in understanding these conditions.
Navigating these challenges involves recognizing your strengths, finding strategies that work for you, and identifying support networks that understand the intersectional barriers you face as a Black woman, a professional, and a person managing ADHD and dyslexia.
Grant writing is a critical skill, particularly if you’re advocating for resources or support for minority veterans and their families. As a Black woman professional managing ADHD and dyslexia, engaging in grant writing may present unique challenges but also opportunities to leverage these experiences to make compelling cases for funding. Here’s how you can navigate and excel in this area:
1. **Leverage Personal and Professional Experience:**
- Use your lived experience and professional expertise to tell a compelling story that highlights the impact of your work and the populations you serve. As someone navigating the intersection of multiple identities, you can authentically describe the systemic barriers and unique needs of minority veterans.
- When writing, emphasize why funding is crucial not only for addressing visible needs but also for creating inclusive spaces that consider the cognitive diversity of veterans (e.g., those with ADHD, dyslexia, PTSD).
2. **Grant Writing Challenges for ADHD and Dyslexia:**
- **ADHD and Attention Management:** Grant writing requires focus, organization, and attention to detail—areas that ADHD may affect. It can be hard to maintain the sustained attention needed for complex applications.
- **Dyslexia and Language Processing:** For dyslexic writers, organizing ideas, spelling, and grammar may pose additional hurdles. Grant applications often require clarity and precision, making it necessary to refine and review multiple drafts.
3. **Strategies to Enhance Grant Writing with ADHD and Dyslexia:**
- **Break Down the Process:** Divide the application into smaller, manageable parts. Set specific goals for sections like the narrative, budget, and objectives. Use digital tools like [Trello](https://trello.com/) or [Todoist](https://todoist.com/) to track progress and deadlines.
- **Utilize Writing Software:** Leverage assistive technology such as Grammarly or ProWritingAid for editing support. For dyslexia, text-to-speech tools like NaturalReader or Speechify can help you listen to your drafts and catch errors.
- **Use Visual Aids and Templates:** Create visual story maps or flowcharts for your grant narrative. For dyslexics, visually organizing ideas before writing helps in structuring complex thoughts into a linear, coherent format.
- **Set Up Review Systems:** Partner with trusted colleagues or mentors to review your drafts. Fresh perspectives can catch issues related to clarity and grammar, and reduce cognitive load by sharing the editing process.
4. **Positioning the Grant Application:**
- **Highlight Inclusion and Diversity:** Given your unique perspective, frame your organization’s work as addressing systemic inequities and promoting cognitive diversity. Position the grant as a tool to bridge gaps for minority veterans facing intersectional challenges, such as navigating mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions.
- **Use Data and Personal Narratives:** Combine statistical data with personal stories that reflect your lived experience as a professional with ADHD and dyslexia. This combination is powerful for funders, as it balances quantitative impact with human stories.
- **Address Challenges Transparently:** In some cases, discussing the challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals—including yourself—can add authenticity and urgency to your application. This approach works particularly well with funders interested in disability rights, mental health, and inclusivity.
5. **Grant Writing Resources and Support:**
- **Online Grant Writing Courses:** Consider taking online workshops, such as those offered by the Foundation Center or Grant Professionals Association, to refine your skills.
- **Grant Writing Assistance Programs:** Explore programs tailored to military and minority communities, such as the [Veterans Grant Writing Certification Program](https://veteransgcp.org/) or services provided through the Minority Veterans of America.
- **Community Support and Networking:** Connect with other grant writers who share similar experiences through LinkedIn groups or local chapters of grant writing associations. Networking can provide both mentorship and emotional support.
6. **Advocating Through Grant Writing:**
- Your position as a Black woman professional advocating for minority veterans allows you to use grant writing as a tool for systemic change. Use your applications to highlight gaps in services, barriers to access, and the need for culturally competent programming.
- Consider framing your proposals around developing new resources for veterans with ADHD and dyslexia. Use your understanding of these conditions to create programs that focus on education, training, or support services for veterans who face similar struggles.
By integrating these strategies, you can navigate the challenges posed by ADHD and dyslexia while turning your lived experiences into strengths that enhance the impact of your grant applications. Grant writing, while demanding, can become a powerful platform for advocating for resources and support for marginalized communities, ensuring that diverse voices and needs are represented and funded.
Adding the intersection of dyslexia and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to the context of being a Black woman professional in the military can further complicate experiences and the approach to grant writing and professional life. A TBI can exacerbate existing dyslexia symptoms and introduce new cognitive and emotional challenges. Here's an expanded approach to managing this intersection while highlighting how it can shape your professional and advocacy work:
1. **Understanding the Impact of Dyslexia and TBI:**
- **Dyslexia Symptoms:** Dyslexia primarily affects reading, writing, and language processing. Symptoms may include difficulty decoding words, problems with reading fluency, and challenges with spelling.
- **TBI Symptoms:** Depending on the severity, a TBI can lead to a range of cognitive and emotional difficulties, such as memory loss, slower information processing, impaired concentration, and mood changes. When combined with dyslexia, these challenges can amplify struggles with reading comprehension, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.
- **Intersectional Effects:** For Black women in professional or military settings, these conditions can be misunderstood or misattributed to lack of competence or focus, leading to increased scrutiny and bias. The stigma surrounding cognitive disabilities, especially when compounded by race and gender, can make it harder to seek help or disclose these issues in a workplace environment.
2. **Navigating Professional Life with Dyslexia, TBI, and ADHD:**
- The military and many professional fields emphasize precision and quick response, which can be daunting when managing dyslexia and TBI. Memory lapses or slower cognitive processing might be interpreted as a lack of diligence.
- **Strategic Accommodations:** Advocate for reasonable accommodations like extra time on tasks, alternative methods of instruction (verbal instead of written), and structured feedback. Tools like digital planners, voice recording devices, and memory aids can support daily responsibilities.
- **Communication and Self-Advocacy:** While disclosing your conditions might be sensitive, selectively sharing information with trusted supervisors can create an understanding environment. Seek allies who can advocate for neurodiverse professionals and push for inclusive policies.
3. **Approach to Grant Writing:**
Writing grants with a combination of dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI can feel overwhelming due to the concentration, planning, and language skills required. Implementing targeted strategies can help streamline the process and enhance your effectiveness:
- **Breaking Down Tasks:**
- **Pre-Writing:** Before you start the narrative, outline your ideas using mind maps or bullet points. Organize content visually to accommodate any visual processing difficulties associated with dyslexia or TBI.
- **Drafting and Editing:** Use writing software that accommodates both dyslexia and TBI, such as *Ginger Software* or *Kurzweil 3000*, which offer spelling support, text-to-speech, and structured writing templates.
- **Time Management and Deadlines:**
- Set realistic timelines that account for cognitive fatigue and potential slower processing due to TBI. Use reminders, digital calendars, and timers to break writing into shorter, manageable sessions.
- Create dedicated “deep work” time slots to minimize distractions, which is essential for those managing ADHD and cognitive fluctuations due to TBI.
- **Utilizing Support Networks:**
- Seek grant-writing mentors or collaborators who understand your cognitive needs. Having a co-writer or a professional editor can reduce the cognitive burden and help transform your ideas into a polished proposal.
- Consider working with grant consultants, particularly for complex or large-scale applications, to ensure that the narrative is clear, cohesive, and aligned with funder requirements.
4. **Positioning the Grant Narrative:**
When writing grants for your organization or project, consider highlighting the intersection of dyslexia, TBI, and veteran health in your narrative. Use your lived experience to underscore the need for inclusive programming that addresses the unique cognitive challenges faced by minority veterans.
- **Highlight Neurodiversity and Accessibility:** Proposals can emphasize the need for programming that provides cognitive rehabilitation, support services, and educational resources for veterans dealing with dyslexia and TBIs.
- **Cultural and Contextual Awareness:
** Incorporate culturally competent language and frameworks that address the specific challenges faced by minority communities. This can include focusing on disparities in access to cognitive rehabilitation or advocating for more inclusive mental health resources.
- **Data and Personal Experience:** Use both quantitative data (e.g., the prevalence of TBIs among Black women veterans) and qualitative narratives to build a persuasive case for funding. The intersection of these identities and conditions often goes unaddressed in veteran health programming, creating a strong need for tailored support.
5. **Strategies for Success in Grant Writing:**
- **Focus on Strengths:** Frame your unique perspective as an advantage. The combination of your military experience, lived experience with dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI, and your work with minority veterans makes you uniquely positioned to advocate for systemic change.
- **Build a Team of Allies:** Consider establishing a team approach to grant writing, where you lead the conceptualization and advocacy elements while relying on team members for technical writing or budgeting support.
- **Invest in Assistive Technology:** Tools like *Dragon NaturallySpeaking* for dictation, *MindMeister* for brainstorming, and *Scrivener* for organizing long-form writing can reduce cognitive load and support clarity.
6. **Advocacy and Professional Growth:**
- **Mentorship and Networking:** Connect with other professionals managing similar conditions. Organizations like the *National Organization on Disability* and *Black Veterans Project* may have resources or mentorship opportunities for navigating professional settings with these conditions.
- **Creating Inclusive Programs:** Consider developing proposals aimed at creating inclusive services for veterans with dyslexia and TBI, focusing on rehabilitation, cognitive training, and career readiness. Use your grants to address gaps in support and build a framework that respects and uplifts neurodiverse veterans.
7. **Potential Funding Sources:**
- **Veteran-Focused Grant Programs:** The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and organizations like the *Bob Woodruff Foundation* or *Disabled Veterans National Foundation* may have funding specifically for TBI and mental health programs.
- **Disability and Inclusion Grants:** Look into grants from foundations focused on neurodiversity and disability inclusion, such as the *Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation* or the *Neurodiversity in the Workplace Fund*.
- **Health and Rehabilitation Grants:** The *Brain Injury Association of America* and the *Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)* often support projects aimed at TBI rehabilitation and research.
By taking a structured and tailored approach, you can manage the complexities of writing and advocating for funding while using your unique experience to highlight critical gaps in services. Ultimately, this creates a powerful opportunity to leverage your story and expertise to secure resources that support both your mission and the broader community.
Incorporating motivational quotes can provide inspiration and encouragement, particularly when facing challenges as a Black woman professional managing dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI. Here are some empowering quotes to keep you grounded and focused:
**1. For Overcoming Challenges:**
- *“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”*
— **Maya Angelou**
- *“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”*
— **Rikki Rogers**
- *“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”*
— **Winston Churchill**
**2. For Building Resilience:**
- *“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”*
— **Louisa May Alcott**
- *“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”*
— **Confucius**
- *“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”*
— **Nido Qubein**
**3. For Embracing Identity and Intersectionality:**
- *“It’s not our differences that divide us. It’s our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”*
— **Audre Lorde**
- *“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.”*
— **Mae Jemison**
- *“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.”*
— **Audre Lorde**
**4. For Grant Writing and Advocacy:**
- *“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”*
— **Ida B. Wells**
- *“The best way to make dreams come true is to wake up.”*
— **Mae Jemison**
- *“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”*
— **Shirley Chisholm**
**5. For Self-Confidence and Belief:**
- *“You are your best thing.”*
— **Toni Morrison**
- *“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.”*
— **Madam C.J. Walker**
- *“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”*
— **Maya Angelou**
These quotes can be used as daily affirmations or incorporated into personal journals, vision boards, or presentations to uplift your spirit and remind you of your strength and purpose.
Here is an advocacy note written from Latisha Nickerson’s perspective, reflecting her personal journey as a Black woman navigating the complexities of her career and life:
**Advocacy Note: My Journey as a Black Woman Professional and Advocate for Minority Veterans**
My name is Latisha Nickerson, and I am proud to be a Black woman navigating the intersections of personal, professional, and social challenges as I advocate for minority veterans and their families. My journey has been filled with triumphs and setbacks, all of which have shaped my passion for advocacy and the pursuit of equity for underrepresented communities. I share my story not only as a means of personal reflection but to inspire others who may be walking a similar path.
**Facing Challenges with Dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI**
Throughout my professional career, I have managed the complexities of dyslexia, ADHD, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained during my time in the military. These conditions have significantly impacted the way I work, communicate, and organize my thoughts. Dyslexia makes reading and writing more time-consuming, while ADHD presents challenges in focus and time management. The TBI I sustained has only amplified these struggles, sometimes causing memory lapses or slower cognitive processing.
However, these challenges have not deterred me from pursuing my goals. In fact, they have strengthened my resolve to push forward and advocate for individuals like me—those who are often overlooked or misunderstood because of cognitive or neurological conditions.
**Navigating the Military as a Black Woman**
As a Black woman, my journey has been even more complex due to the systemic barriers rooted in both race and gender. In the military, I often found myself fighting not only for my place as a professional but also for the right to be seen as capable, competent, and worthy of leadership. I encountered biases and microaggressions that made it harder to advocate for myself, especially when it came to requesting accommodations for my dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI.
But through these challenges, I’ve learned the importance of resilience. I’ve embraced my identity as a Black woman and a neurodiverse individual, knowing that my lived experiences make me a stronger leader and a more empathetic advocate.
**Advocating for Minority Veterans**
In my work with minority veterans and their families, I see daily the intersectional challenges they face. Veterans of color often grapple with disparities in access to mental health care, employment opportunities, and educational resources—issues that are compounded when neurodiversity or other disabilities are part of the picture. My personal journey allows me to deeply empathize with their struggles, and it motivates me to fight for change at both the policy level and the individual level.
Whether I am writing grants to secure funding for programs or providing direct support to veterans in need, my mission is to ensure that all veterans, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, have access to the resources and support systems they deserve. I work tirelessly to break down barriers and create spaces where veterans and their families can thrive.
**Embracing My Role as an Advocate**
I share my story to highlight the importance of embracing both our challenges and our strengths. My journey has been filled with obstacles, but it has also been filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and lead. As I continue to advocate for those who are often marginalized, I find strength in knowing that my experiences—as a Black woman, as someone living with dyslexia, ADHD, and TBI—uniquely equip me to fight for justice and equity.
To those who are on a similar path, I want to remind you that your voice matters. Your story matters. And most importantly, you matter. Advocacy begins with acknowledging our own worth, and from there, we can work to uplift those around us. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
This note highlights Latisha’s personal and professional journey, offering both vulnerability and empowerment as she advocates for change in her community.
Latisha Nickerson, RN, NP, MHM
IG:@purpleheart2k09
Latisha Nickerson is a highly skilled and dedicated healthcare professional who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the industry. With more than 20 years of experience delivering exceptional healthcare service, Nickerson possesses a profound understanding of patient care and is committed to promoting family health and wellness. From a young age, the values of hard work and education were instilled in Nickerson, shaping her goals and aspirations. A native of Kosciusko, Mississippi, Nickerson’s journey in the healthcare industry began upon graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in behavioral psychology with a concentration in gerontology. Determined to advance in the medical field, she furthered her studies at the University of Mississippi School of Nursing and became a registered nurse.
Upon entering the medical field, Nickerson quickly realized that making a difference in the lives and care of those in need is what she was destined to do. She sought opportunities to further her career and be of service to others, which led her to enlist in the United States Army where she transitioned into the role of nurse practitioner. Throughout her tenure in the military, she honed her clinical skills through years of experience practicing in various healthcare settings, including trauma units, home health, emergency medicine, and oncology.
In addition to her unwavering commitment to providing exemplary health care, Nickerson has actively pursued opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to educate others who desire to enter the medical field. She earned her master’s degree in healthcare management from the University of Phoenix and instructed college courses in anatomy and physiology, and medical billing and coding.
After 20 years of distinguished service, Nickerson retired from the army as an officer and combat veteran, and an esteemed healthcare professional. She continues to advocate for healthcare excellence and remains engaged in initiatives aimed at improving healthcare outcomes. Nickerson is an advocate for the American Cancer Society and assists veterans and individuals with receiving disability and social security benefits.
Stemming from a long-lived desire to tap into the entrepreneurial realm, Nickerson launched Infinite Solutions, which houses her vendor and retail sales business, and insurance and financial services. Nickerson remains dedicated to fostering health and wellness, offering insight, strategies, and continuous support to the healthcare community.
Upon entering the medical field, Nickerson quickly realized that making a difference in the lives and care of those in need is what she was destined to do. She sought opportunities to further her career and be of service to others, which led her to enlist in the United States Army where she transitioned into the role of nurse practitioner. Throughout her tenure in the military, she honed her clinical skills through years of experience practicing in various healthcare settings, including trauma units, home health, emergency medicine, and oncology.
In addition to her unwavering commitment to providing exemplary health care, Nickerson has actively pursued opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to educate others who desire to enter the medical field. She earned her master’s degree in healthcare management from the University of Phoenix and instructed college courses in anatomy and physiology, and medical billing and coding.
After 20 years of distinguished service, Nickerson retired from the army as an officer and combat veteran, and an esteemed healthcare professional. She continues to advocate for healthcare excellence and remains engaged in initiatives aimed at improving healthcare outcomes. Nickerson is an advocate for the American Cancer Society and assists veterans and individuals with receiving disability and social security benefits.
Stemming from a long-lived desire to tap into the entrepreneurial realm, Nickerson launched Infinite Solutions, which houses her vendor and retail sales business, and insurance and financial services. Nickerson remains dedicated to fostering health and wellness, offering insight, strategies, and continuous support to the healthcare community.
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