Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Dunaway Smith.
Christy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you Voyage Dallas for inviting me to share a little bit about my challenges with ADHD and Dyslexia, and my journey to becoming a blogger. But first, let me introduce myself. I have been a Fort Worth Gal all my life and have loved every minute of it! I started blogging in 2012 with Fort Worth Magazine and pretty much overnight gained a broad, unexpected public notoriety.
Between spreading the love that Fort Worth has to offer on SoFortWorthIt and balancing being a mom and wife, I partner in our family’s passion for philanthropy and raising support and awareness for wonderful causes in our community.
I was born and raised in Fort Worth, and I’m the only daughter of Carol & Jim Dunaway. I have two younger brothers, but I jokingly reign as my parent’s favorite daughter! I met my husband Jason at a stoplight when I was 17, and he was 24; don’t worry, we didn’t even think about dating until four years later! We have since been married for 22 years and have two fantastic boys; Winn (17) and Reed (14).
Growing up a Dunaway, Christ was a strong focus in our family. It was not unusual for us to do a family Bible study on the weekends or for my mom to have banners with scriptures hanging in each of our bedrooms. My parents instilled values into each of us; every day, I heard them say, “Treat others the way you want to be treated” and “Kill them with kindness.” To this day, these are my life mottos.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was diagnosed with ADHD at a very early age. School wasn’t easy for me, and it came with challenges. After repeating Kindergarten at Fort Worth Country Day and then switching to All Saints, my parents realized that I needed more than traditional methods could offer. They reached out to some of the best professionals and resources in DFW, and hired an independent educational consultant. It was then that we learned I struggled with reading comprehension, and I was also diagnosed with Dyslexia. The Winston School in Dallas was suggested as an excellent fit for me, and so began my journey of being driven daily to and from Dallas in the eighth grade.
Adjusting to yet another school, I had mastered the art of friendship making. “Social” Studies was my favorite subject (still is!), and by this point in my life, I was using humor and self-deprecation to connect with people when struggling deep in other areas. After a successful school year at Winston, I switched schools again and headed back to Fort Worth to attend Arlington Heights High School.
By this time, I had collected more friends than Jackie Kennedy found on a day at Bergdorf Goodman, and for the most part, I had settled into my studies at AHHS. However, by the time I was a senior, I still struggled with writing, particularly papers, and my college applications needed to be submitted! Once again, we sought external resources and found an education consultant to assist me in writing my college essays. I applied to various small colleges that catered to young adults with learning disabilities. With a variety of acceptances (yay!), I accepted an offer from Menlo College in Palo Alto, California. And, off to Cali, I went!
I was only in California for one year, but long enough to briefly date a soap star and make more life-long friends (again, the love of “Social” Studies!). My heart longed for Texas so I switched schools to attend Southern Methodist University during my sophomore year with the goal of majoring in Art History and minoring in Studio Art. And subconsciously to graduate with an M R S degree (that’s Mrs. in case you missed it!), start a family, and live happily ever after.
However, in my first year at SMU, I struggled with writing more than I ever had before. Writing papers at SMU was in a different league. Again, an external resource was found, and Elissa Sommerfield, my “Writing Fairy,” came to my aid. She was a highly regarded educator and private tutor. I was determined to help myself overcome this struggle. I spent 3-5 hours a week with my Writing Fairy that year. Side-by-side, I watched and learned from her. I learned “the process”, which I never understood before, of peeling through textbooks and pulling information from specific chapters to draft a perfect recipe of words. You could say I was in awe that first year at SMU, watching and learning from this incredible tutor who knew how to teach me the way.
By my second year at SMU, I had learned the “rhythm of writing,” which also meant acknowledging that I am more of a visual learner rather than an auditory learner and utilizing a method that worked for my learning style. I excelled in visual learning! I learned to speak out my content and write it, at the same time visually seeing the process of building a story on paper. After 5.5 years of college, I graduated from SMU with gratitude for the accomplishment of being able to write papers all on my own.
I share this struggle here as part of my story to be a reminder that the easy way is rarely the answer in life. I am grateful that with persistence, faith, and desire for success on my own, I am able to share my story with you today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
SoFortWorthIt was created in 2012 when our dear friend Hal, owner of Fort Worth Magazine, asked if I would become their social blogger. As a Fort Worth native, I was thrilled because I am so passionate about our city! One evening while my mother and I enjoyed cocktails and brainstormed blog ideas, the name SoFortWorthIt was born. I was fortunate to share my expertise and experiences with Fort Worth Magazine readers for more than four years.
In 2016, I branched out on my own at SoFortWorthIt.com! SoFortWorthIt covers entertaining tips, home & interior design, social events, dining, travel, holidays, health & beauty, and soooo much more! I especially love covering all the great things that happen in Fort Worth. With almost 35K+ followers across all media channels and being the Lifestyle Editor for Monticello Neighborhood News Magazine, my plate stays pretty full with many irons in the fire.
My work in the community, apart from the blog, started when I graduated from SMU. My philanthropic endeavors and community involvement have included Junior League, Cook Children’s, Christ Chapel Bible Church, President of Panther Club, which benefited the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth, and chairing/co-chairing many other nonprofit organizations in DFW. Additionally, I sit on the Winn Dunaway Family Foundation board, which serves additional nonprofits in our amazing community.
Today, I continue to be grateful for what God has blessed our family with, and I love giving from the heart. Over the last couple of years, I have turned my focus on donating time and resources to Kingdom causes. My latest projects involve giving to and serving those in need, especially our city’s most underserved. For myself and our family, making an impact on others is what is most important.
Christy, your story is incredible. What are some resources you can share to help others who are struggling with learning challenges?
Writing this article was emotional and surfaced many negative memories from my childhood and educational years, but if I can use my story to help someone else, I am more than glad to share it. For anyone dealing with this burden, or the debilitating effects of parenting a child with a learning disability, here are some incredible resources to help you.
Christian Cottage Prep – Teri Willis (817) 975-6209
Key Center for Learning Diffences/Key School – (817) 446-3738
Math Around the Corner – (817) 720-6284
Patricia Martinez Therapy Services – (682) 214-8050
Reading Connection – (817) 924-2000
Scottish Rite Hospital – RiteCare (202) 232-3579
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SoFortWorthIt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofortworthit/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sofortworthit
Image Credits
Laura McCarthy
Zulima Gonzalez
Rhea Engert Photography
