A

Since I was five years old, I have been living a life with learning disabilities. Now this is not something I am ashamed of. No, not at all. It’s a part of me. It’s made me who I am.

However, that doesn’t mean it has been easy. I tolerated some pretty harsh bullying in school, mostly in junior high. It did great damage to my self-respect, let me tell you. All kinds of professionals made claims that I would not amount to much. They said I would never be able to live independently. I was a lost cause. When I graduated from high school and decided to enter the workforce, I received quite the wake-up call about how society felt about people with my condition. I enrolled in a local job program for the disabled. The head of the program announced his belief that I would always live below the poverty line. “Amy will always be on welfare”.

So after several years of frustration, I decided to give up the job search and become self-employed. For the past 13 years, I have been running my own dog-sitting business. Ifs just me and I work mostly around my neighborhood but the pay is good and the work is regular. This work has allowed me to pursue a writing career. I write regularly for several websites nationally and internationally with a focus on inspiration.

Two years ago, I self-published an autobiography titled “I Am Not Stupid” which is available through Amazon. My main goal as a writer Is not fame nor wealth. I want to use this gift that God has given me to make the world a better place.

With all that I have gone through over the years, I have decided not to live bitter. It hasn't been an easy

journey, Fm not going to lie. I just want to get up even after being knocked down and keep fighting.

21. What do we know about the author?

A. She was born with learning disabilities.    

B. She was respected by her school mates.

C. She has accepted who she is now.    

D. She is living below the poverty line.

22. Why did the author decide to become self-employed?

A. This job freed her from poverty.    

B. She    liked to be independent.

C. Other jobs made her defeated.    

D. She had no better way for a living.

23. What message is delivered in the passage?

A. Ifs uneasy not to live bitter.    

B. A writing career suits the disabled.

C. Hardships bring people wealth.    

D. He who never gives up will make it.