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Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

What it's like growing up with learning disabilities

When you’re a kid, probably the worst thing is not fitting in. For Jonathan Mooney it was torture. He couldn’t read until the age of 12. He was put in a “slow” class. Some of the kids called him “retard.”

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By Madeleine Brand • Sep 19, 2019 • 1 min read

When you’re a kid, probably the worst thing is not fitting in. For Jonathan Mooney it was torture. He couldn’t read until the age of 12. He was put in a “slow” class. Some of the kids called him “retard.” It took him years to realize that he wasn’t inferior, and that he shouldn't have been striving for "normality." Mooney is now an author and public speaker. His latest book is called "Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn and Thrive Outside the Lines."

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

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    Sarah Sweeney

    Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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    Michell Eloy

    Line Editor, Press Play

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    Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir

    Associate producer

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    Jonathan Mooney

    author

    NewsBooks
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand