Episode 11: Turning Struggle Into Strength: Sabrina Fandell’s Mission To Transform Dyslexia Advocacy In Dallas
A Deeply Personal Story That Every Parent, Educator, and Advocate Needs to Hear
By Sherry Sutton | Heart of the Hustle Show
Every once in a while, a story hits so close to home that it shakes you—in the best possible way. That’s what happened when I sat down with Sabrina Fandell for the latest episode of Heart of the Hustle.
Sabrina is the Vice President of the Dallas branch of the International Dyslexia Association, a fierce advocate for neurodivergent kids, and—maybe most importantly—a mom who’s lived the challenges of dyslexia from both sides: as a student and as a parent.
This conversation wasn’t just informative—it was transformative. If you’re a parent wondering what’s “off” with your child’s reading progress, if you’re an educator looking to do better, or if you’re someone who grew up thinking you were “just not smart enough”—Sabrina’s story is for you.
When The System Doesn’t See You, You Find A Way Anyway
What struck me most about Sabrina’s journey is how much she had to figure out on her own. Like so many kids with undiagnosed learning differences, she was shuffled into rooms with outdated books and told to “just try harder.” No accommodations. No roadmap.
She struggled through her early years, but somehow still managed to thrive—graduating with honors, taking college courses in high school, and building a successful career in business development.
But even in adulthood, dyslexia didn’t magically disappear. It showed up in her email habits, in the way she texted, in how she communicated with coworkers. For years, she just adapted—until her son started showing similar signs. That’s when everything changed.
From Diagnosis to Determination: What Advocacy Looks Like Up Close
When Sabrina’s son was denied access to the 45-day dyslexia evaluation process in school, she didn’t take no for an answer. She found a private center. She paid thousands of dollars. She got the answers he needed.
And then—because this is just who she is—she made it her mission to make sure other families don’t have to go through the same thing alone.
That’s how she found the International Dyslexia Association (IDA). She wanted to do more, give back, and find a way to merge her career growth with her passion for impact. And she did just that.
Now, as VP of the IDA Dallas, Sabrina is leading programs that are quite literally changing lives.
What The IDA Dallas Is Doing (And Why It Matters So Much)
Under Sabrina’s leadership, the Dallas branch of the International Dyslexia Association is:
Awarding scholarships that cover everything from dyslexia testing to tutoring to summer programs.
Educating parents and teachers through monthly virtual seminars, symposiums, and conferences.
Fighting for early intervention, because catching dyslexia early can change a child’s entire trajectory.
Advocating inside school systems, pushing back when kids are told they’re done with services—even when they’re still reading two grade levels behind.
This isn’t surface-level work. It’s deep, intentional, and absolutely necessary. Because here’s the truth: our schools—even the well-funded ones—are often unequipped to handle learning differences well. And that gap? It’s hurting our kids.
The Emotional Cost of Being “Behind”
There was a moment during our conversation that stopped me in my tracks. Sabrina, usually poised and composed, shared a story about her son coming home from school, tears running down his face, saying, “I’m the stupidest kid in my class.”
Just let that land.
As a parent, how do you even respond to something like that? How do you hold your child while they question their intelligence, their worth, their place in the world—when all they’re doing is learning differently?
It’s the kind of heartbreak that stays with you. And not just in that moment, but in the way it echoes into how your child shows up the next day… and the day after that. You start to see them shrink a little. You see their confidence erode. You see them pull back from trying because trying has come to mean failing—again and again.
If you’ve ever parented a neurodivergent child, you’ve likely had your own version of that moment. And if you’ve been that child, you carry it with you too. You remember the embarrassment of reading out loud. You remember feeling like you weren’t enough. You remember trying to hide in plain sight just to avoid being noticed.
This is the hidden cost of being “behind” in a system that often rewards only one kind of learner.
And this is exactly why organizations like the International Dyslexia Association matter so much. Because they’re not just about diagnostics and data—they’re about dignity. They’re about giving parents real tools instead of guilt. They’re about reminding kids that they are not broken—they are brilliant. And they’re about building systems of support that don’t just help kids catch up academically, but also emotionally and socially.
This is why we need more people like Sabrina—people who are willing to speak openly, to challenge outdated norms, and to stand in the gap for the families who don’t know where else to turn.
And this is why we have to talk about learning differences. Not just once a year during awareness month, but all the time. We need to make these conversations as common as talking about homework, sports, or after-school activities. Because when we normalize neurodivergence, we give our kids the freedom to thrive as their full selves—not just the version that fits the mold.
Every child deserves to feel smart. To feel seen. To feel safe enough to say, “I need help,” and not feel ashamed for it.
And every parent deserves to have the resources to say, “I’ve got you. We’re not alone.”
Why Sabrina’s Story Isn’t Just Inspiring—It’s Instructional
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Sabrina shared something so simple, yet so profound: she still doesn’t know how she actually learned to read.
There was no magic breakthrough, no carefully crafted lesson plan, no structured support. It wasn’t a moment of clarity—it was years of trial and error. She just kept showing up, pushing through the frustration, the tears, the isolation… until somehow, the pieces started to fall into place. That’s not learning. That’s surviving.
And yet, survival is what so many kids—and adults—have had to rely on when they’re neurodivergent in a system that’s not built for them.
But watching her son go through a professional, evidence-based, and supportive process? That changed everything for her.
Seeing him work with a trained dyslexia therapist, using tools and strategies that are designed for how his brain works, gave her a completely different lens. It didn’t just help her son—it helped her unpack years of self-doubt, struggle, and internalized shame. Suddenly, the challenges she had faced as a kid made sense. She could see what had been missing all along.
It gave her language she’d never had before.
It gave her clarity on her own story.
And it lit a fire under her to make sure that no other child has to suffer in silence like she did. No other parent should be left to Google symptoms at midnight, or feel like they’re failing because their kid isn’t learning the way the system expects.
Sabrina’s story isn’t just inspiring because of what she’s overcome—it’s instructional because of how she’s used that experience to create real, systemic change. She didn’t just survive. She rose. And now she’s reaching back to pull others up with her.
This is something I say all the time on Heart of the Hustle: your lived experience is often your most powerful business asset. It’s not just part of your backstory—it’s the core of your message. The very thing you thought would hold you back might be the very thing that sets you apart.
Sabrina turned what hurt into a mission. She turned confusion into clarity. She turned hardship into leadership. And in doing so, she’s giving voice to a whole community of parents, educators, and kids who just needed someone to say, “I see you.”
That’s the kind of leadership that sticks. Not because it’s polished or perfect—but because it’s real.
Want To Help? Here’s How You Can Make A Difference
Here’s what Sabrina and the IDA Dallas need from us right now:
Support the Summer Regression Campaign (aka the “summer slide” program) through North Texas Giving.
Volunteer—you don’t need a background in education to help.
Become a member of the IDA for just $50/year. Get access to cutting-edge research, virtual events, and a thriving community.
Share their posts. Seriously. A single share can connect a struggling parent with the resources they didn’t even know existed.
Encourage families to apply for scholarships and support programs—especially those who may not have the means for private testing or tutoring.
Visit the IDA Dallas website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop.
Let Me Turn Your Story Into Something Bigger
Here’s the thing: Sabrina didn’t come into the Heart of the Hustle studio just to talk—she came in to turn her mission into meaningful content.
And that’s what I do here.
If you’ve got a story like Sabrina’s—one that’s packed with purpose, passion, and a little bit of grit—come sit with me in the studio. In just one hour, we’ll record an interview that becomes:
A full podcast episode
A professionally edited YouTube video
A blog post (just like this one)
Reels, captions, and posts tailored to your audience
All you have to do is show up. I’ll handle the rest.
🎙️ Want a month of content from just one conversation? Be a guest on Heart of the Hustle . I promise—it’s more than a podcast. It’s a platform.
DM me or head to HeartOfTheHustle.com to grab your spot.
📺 Don’t miss Sabrina’s full episode — watch it on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcasting platform.
