Sánchez has been open about how dyslexia shaped her life, even inspiring her 2024 children’s book, The Fly Who Flew to Space.
“Never in a million years did I think a dyslexic kid from Albuquerque would ever be an author,” Sánchez told People ahead of the book’s release.
She also reflected on the challenges she faced growing up before learning she had dyslexia.
“I couldn’t read or spell, and I kind of thought maybe I’m just dumb,” she recalled. “I figured that was my lot in life. I’d always wanted to be a journalist, but I thought, ‘How can I — if I can’t even write?'”
After being diagnosed in college, Sánchez said her academic performance dramatically improved, helping launch the career that eventually led her to television news, aviation and publishing.
Looking back, she credited dyslexia with teaching her perseverance.
“I think dyslexia has given me resilience,” she said. “When you have dyslexia, you’re so used to failing at things and it can be extremely humiliating. Especially as a young kid. But once you get through that, nothing can stop you.”