At Seattle Storm Sports Insider, we love to go back to that moment when Jewell Loyd was seriously doubted by everyone from the media to her school and in between when she adamantly said she was going pro. That’s because in that moment, Loyd proved that her confidence and self-assurance was spot on. It was the moment that started a spectacular career, including Rookie of the Year honors and a lucrative Nike contract. We doubt that anyone tries to tell Jewell Loyd what to do anymore.

Right now, Loyd is making headlines yet again for being featured on 32 billboards in Times Square. Loyd is working with Eye to Eye, “The Official Sponsor of Different Thinkers,” to highlight dyslexia and advocate for people with dyslexia. The guard discovered that she had dyslexia when she was 12 years old and is the first major athlete to share that personal bit of information with America to help other children with the same condition. “Different Thinkers” make up 20% of the population, which, coupled with this age of information, should be a call for different teaching and learning methods across the board.

Loyd’s story sharing is an inspiration, but so are her words. She says, “I grew up hearing from my mom, a teacher, ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Having a disability can be a struggle. Learn to embrace it, you’re changing disability into ‘this ability.’ I encourage kids to say like I do, ‘You have no idea how able I am.’ It’s important to me that I am helping kids change their lives and dream big through Eye to Eye.”

We are beginning to think that there is nothing Loyd cannot do. It is obvious that she did not let her disability stop her from attending college, starring for the WNBA, going out for the Olympic team, signing on with Nike and who knows what is next in her journey. Loyd’s bravery to come forward and share her disability will surely be a huge source of comfort as well as hope for kids and teens that worry about their futures. She proves that with the passion and drive for what you love, you can make it happen.

Loyd went on to say that “I believe that sharing my story is one of the most powerful things I can do.” Indeed, the founder of Eye to Eye says that Loyd’s story sharing, coupled with that of other professional athletes across various sports, is changing the way American culture looks at disabilities.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia