I've always just kind of believed that people have the potential to be good at any subject but their way of getting their just might be different. I'm personally very good at math but if somebody asks me to explain my thought process for coming to an answer they can expect to be very confused. I come up with weird ways of doing things for almost every subject because it's the only way I learn. Granted this might only apply to people with learning disabilities as I have dyslexia so I guess my brain works differently. I really do think it's just about finding what works for every kid though. I wrote very good essays in high school without ever actually receiving help for dyslexia because I figured out tricks that helped me. When it comes to writing informally or handwriting something quickly however I tend to fumble. Still haven't found what works for that, but I'm sure there is something.
You mind if I share your post with my middle schoolers? The efforts you describe are admirable. I'm currently trying to convince a few more at a time that with concerted efforts in the right direction, they can learn to do most anything. I'm swimming upstream right now against a current of parents with the, "I was never a math person, so I figure that (insert sons/daughters name here) isn't also." approach to mathematics.