Learning about myself in a pandemic

By Jenisis, age 13

When the pandemic started I was 10 and in 5th grade. Then they told us that we will not have school until further notice, I thought it was going to be the best thing ever but boy was I wrong. When you are in Chinese immersion and don’t know how to use technology learning can be hard, especially if you have learning conditions.

In the beginning, it was hard. I started to have anxiety attacks and mental breakdowns daily. Most days I just didn’t have enough energy to get out of bed. Sometimes I just skipped the class. But in 6th grade, I was allowed to go back to school but still had to log on to the Zoom class. It was still hard but at least I was interacting with people. Then I came out as transgender and everyone was incredibly supportive.

Now I’m 13, in 7th grade, and in a healthier mental state. I still get anxiety attacks but not as often nor as bad. The pandemic helped me work through my understanding of my conditions.

The pandemic helped me work through my understanding of my conditions.