Outskirts Press, INC.

I am not an exception to the rule, I am the rule and I happily proclaim: All Students Can Learn.

In 1976 while struggling in high school, special education was just finding a foothold in the hallways of America’s educational systems. By the end of that year, regular and special educators were discussing such issues as roles, responsibilities, needs, and resources to fulfill the mandates of federal legislation (PL 94-142), but during that time Richard Evans became just another high school dropout. He dropped out of high school never understanding why school was so difficult until 1992 while having a psychological evaluation for depression. He was diagnosed with two distinct learning disabilities (Developmental Reading Disorder and Expressive Writing Disorder). Later Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder would be added to the list. Just knowing that his problem had a name and that he was not stupid gave him hope. He now knows that just because he learns differently and writes poorly, it does not mean that he is stupid. In 2004 Richard completed his academic endeavors by earning a Ph. D. in Educational Psychology from Texas A & M University.

Linda E. Geer – (DALLAS, TX, US) Dr. Evans' book is a must-read for parents and teachers of students with learning disabilities. This book is organized into three parts. In the first part, the author explains how he became who he is. His poignant descriptions of some of his earliest memories are heart-wrenching. This is not his intent, as we learn in later sections; in fact, his intent is to provide hope to all who struggle with learning difficulties. And as we read about each struggle, each event that formed his sense of self, we are compelled to keep turning the pages, faster, faster... to find out how he turned his struggles into strengths. Dr. Evans does not disappoint. In the second part of his book, he discusses his perceptions of the world, both academic and non-academic. He explains how he learns, and how he came to understand his strengths. He provides real-life examples along the way, which are both entertaining and enlightening. Dr. Evans writes in a matter-of-fact style that suggests he is sitting next to you, talking to you as a friend. We all need such friends; we need their honesty, their wisdom, and most of all, their message of hope. With all good friends come imperfections, and these are evident, as well. His book is in some ways a work in progress. It contains typographical errors and awkward sentences that are typical of the writing of a person with learning disabilities. When I contacted Dr. Evans about these potential problems, he responded that he could use me as a copy editor for his next book! His response struck a chord with me. Dr. Evans walks the walk by continuing to make goals that others might say are impossible to achieve. Perfection is not his goal; enlightenment is. And he enlightens very, very well. As Faulkner put it: "All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible." The imperfections contained in Dr. Evans' book are easy to forgive when one considers how splendid the message in his story is.

Jennifer L. Yarbrough (SAN ANGELO, TX, US) Wow is all I can say. I finished reading your book, and I realized how blessed I am to have had you as a professor. What an amazing and spiritual look at learning differences. A must read for all educators, especially those who don't know how it feels to be left behind.