Kian-Quinn_updated
2025 Scholarship Recipient

Kian Q.

He/Him
Carleton College, MN
ADHD/ADD, Dyslexia

I sat for hours every week with therapists tracing letters, memorizing words, and pounding out reading strategies. I felt stupid. It was an invisible disability, and I wanted to be invisible too. Then, two things happened. First, I found theater. Once I memorized my lines, I was free. Second, I discovered The Neurodiversity Alliance, specifically their Eye-to-Eye mentoring program, the organization that helps students with learning differences gain the skills to succeed. 

From an early age, Kian struggled with dyslexia, feeling invisible despite hours spent with therapists. Everything changed when he discovered theater, which gave him confidence and a sense of belonging. Through roles like Scar, Aladdin, and Scuttle, he found a way to express himself. Joining The Neurodiversity Alliance’s Eye to Eye mentoring program, he learned that dyslexia could be a strength. For the past eight years, he has embraced his neurodiversity and now aspires to become a psychologist, supporting neurodiverse students and helping them avoid the feelings of isolation and frustration he once faced.

Want to stay up to date? Sign up for our newsletter.