My name is Demetrius Watkins.  I am 15 years old.

My friend Tony is doing this for me.  I cannot read or write.  I have severe learning disabilities that make it impossible for me to learn easily, especially when it comes to writing and reading.  It's very humiliating.

I hate being different.  I hate having to struggle like this.  I get lost easily if I'm not in a familiar place (to find my way around, I look for landmarks or other features that are easily identifiable), and when I do, I panic, big time.

I can't get a job because in order to do so, one has to be able to read and write.  I can't do either.  I can write a little, but not very well, and I read at the level of a pre-k or kindergarten student.  It's horrible.  If I do get a job, I will have to work at a place for people with disabilities or somewhere like McDonald's or somplace; if I do go to fill out a job form, someone will have to do it for me.  

And then I have to worry about if I do get a job, I won't know what to do.  Then I'd get fired because I'd more than likely make a big mistake.

When I sign my name, I make a big X.  Someone tells me where to sign, and I put X for Demetrius.  

Well, I hate to go, but this is harder than I realize.  I just hope I can get help for my special problem because it's made my life a living hell.

~To be continued~