Update 9/6/2025:

I received the news recently that I was not selected as one of the 20 finalists for this year’s Rare Artist competition. While I was not selected, there are many Rare Artist contestants whose work will be featured weekly throughout the upcoming year including mine at some point. Be sure to check out the 20 finalists at RareArtist.org and maybe consider voting for one of the 20 finalists. The 20 finalists vary by age range and I wish them good luck!

Original Post

I had been waiting a bit to publish this post and I can finally post it! For those who are not aware, there is a Rare Artist Program competition held annually by the Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases (https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-artist). Artisans from across the United States of America are asked to submit artwork based upon the theme of the competition.

Since this is my first year participating in this competition, I can only speak to this year’s theme which is on how your rare disease has impacted your life. I was born with Myelomeningocele – the rarest and most severe form of Spina Bifida which is also recognized on the rare diseases registry. I have had multiple surgeries and treatments throughout my life and I can expect more in the future. However, rare diseases do not just have a physical impact. They can also have impacts on everyday life activities. For me, other impacts included dyslexia, dysgraphia, and severe dyscalculia.

Most people are aware of dyslexia and dysgraphia as those impact reading and writing respectfully. Dyscalculia is not as well known though and impacts the comprehension of numbers and, more importantly, how numbers interact with one another. However, it goes beyond just comprehension as memorization of mathematical facts and equations is both extremely difficult and sometimes impossible. I can learn a new math skill today, practice it for the remainder of the day, and then all knowledge is forgotten by the next morning. Now repeat that for a week and still not be able to retain that new skill knowledge. This is how my dyscalculia impacts my life.

If you know someone who is struggling with math concepts, unable to retain mathematical concepts, or just not understanding numbers in general, please get them tested. While public schools should provide testing, my parents had to go independently for testing, paying out of their own pocket, when our public school system would not fund the testing. If anyone asks whether the cost is worth it, as someone who has dyscalculia, getting the diagnosis and then the associated accommodations needed for success is truly a game changer and confidence booster. If you do not know who to turn to for testing, I highly recommend contacting Dr. Schreuder at Dyscalculia Services. Link below:

https://www.dyscalculiaservices.com/

My submission to the Rare Artist competition covers the struggle going through school life trying to complete my education. I present to you my submission for Rare Artist 2025.

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia

Phoebe Trites

Acrylic on 11 x 14 canvas completed July 2, 2025

Artist Statement:

Born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus, I faced additional challenges including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and severe dyscalculia. Despite years of struggling in school, limited support, forced to permanent online learning only, and other barriers, I persevered and graduated in 2025 as a home education student in Florida.

My painting is called Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia. This painting visualizes my journey through vivid color symbolism: red reflects frustration, orange expresses anxiety from math and testing, blue embodies sadness and confusion, black lines connect the sources of academic struggle, and a grey background represents the darkness I felt. A red teacher in the artwork signifies the lack of support I received from public schools despite evidence of my disability early on.

Not every student can excel in advanced math, yet schools often treat it as a defining measure, creating needless obstacles. Many students may drop out undiagnosed with learning disabilities due to insufficient school resources. I was fortunate to have parents who privately funded my testing.

Now an artist and volunteer at the NOTO Arts Center in Topeka, Kansas, I use my art as a powerful, healing form of expression, turning pain into purpose in hopes to raise awareness.

Link to Rare Artist competition gallery:

https://rareartist.awardsplatform.com/gallery/oVmqroJV/DAgWVKyg?search=3a501d304e5dd5a8-4

Live life! Be Creative!