Step Out USA, Inc. is a not-for profit organization started in 2003 by parents and professionals to create social, cultural, recreational and educational connections for adults with learning disabilities.

The following excerpt is taken from the book “Embracing the Monster,” by Veronica Crawford, a disabilities analyst who has battled learning disabilities all her life.

“I want to take this opportunity to remind people that we have to work together, not separately. We need to build supportive foundations for people with hidden disabilities—not barricades. We need to acknowledge that the real world is certainly difficult for everyone, not just for people with learning disabilities, but it is less easy to negotiate this difficult world when you have hidden disabilities. We have to look at what the problems are, develop strategies, and help people to become independent, not dependent.

I believe the secret to success is intrinsic with supported pushes from extrinsic sources such as friends, family, and professional resources. Support can come from a person or people who leave lasting positive reminders, or create a voice, a clear voice, in the mind of a person struggling with seeing through the confusion. “I have learned to rely on my strengths. I have learned to be realistic in my choices; this was my method of finding success.”

-Veronica Crawford