When Carter Dewey was in grade school he struggled to learn how to read. Homework became a tearful event and at one point his teacher even recommended he repeat a grade. It wasn't until a move to St. Louis and the intervention of his fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Bolen, where things changed. Mrs. Bolen suggested he get tested for a learning disability. The Testing confirmed he had dyslexia.
The diagnosis was a welcome relief. Finally, there was something concrete to explain Carter's struggles and his parents were able to seek the right help for him to receive. He received extra tutoring and special classes and listened to recorded school books that his mother prerecorded. He found success in the business world by using good old fashion people skills, honesty, and a strong work ethic.
As an adult, Carter and his wife, Amanda, felt the pull to become foster parents. They felt blessed to offer love, security and a home to two foster children. Reading to the kids and telling them stories at bedtime is when Carter realized how much he enjoyed telling stories. His goal is to raise awareness and make a contribution to Foster Care Services.
His slogan, "Do we like to read? Dewey-Ever!" is a phrase he repeats to kids. "If a child can be comfortable being uncomfortable," he explains, "by experiencing failure but working through it... then that child can find the joy and successes they deserve. There is nothing worse than feeling like you're stupid or that you can't be yourself. I know because IO felt that way before I knew that I had a learning disability."
Even with the challenges of dyslexia, Carter graduated from Missouri University with a BA and is now a Senior VP at a technology firm. He enjoys family, community, volunteering, the beach, kayaking, traveling, biking and most definitely the adorable foster children that fill his and Amanda's home with laughter, joy, chaos and lots of storytelling time.
