National Adult Literacy Database

February 24 and March 3, 2003

This week, we are launching seven stories written by students from NorQuest College in Edmonton, Alberta. You can read some of the stories as well as hear them.

NorQuest College has approximately 10,000 students enrolled in upgrading, ESL and skills training programs. The main campus is in downtown Edmonton and the ESL campus is in the West End of the city. There are satellite sites around northern Alberta. We are very proud of the extra learning support we are able to give to students with learning disabilities and physical challenges. NorQuest won the City of Edmonton Mayor's Award for Accessible Architecture, 2001. Several of the students whose stories you will see receive support from Learning Support Services at NorQuest.

Glen has been a student at NorQuest College for 3 semesters. He is an inspiration to all of us! When Glen was nine years old he was in an accident that crushed the right side of his brain. His brain was damaged and he lost the ability to speak, read and write. He also lost mobility in his left arm and leg. Doctors told him that he would never walk again and he was told by teachers that he was a slow learner. Glen proved everyone wrong! He is a father of two beautiful children, has only minor physical disabilities and works everyday to improve his reading and writing skills.

 

Play an audio version of this story

My Special Place

by Glen Meyerink

My special place to be is at Vincent Lake. It is two hours northeast of Edmonton. It is a wonderful place to relax. The lake is clean and the air is fresh. In the summer it is warm even at night. I can see a million stars twinkling in the sky. I hear crickets for hours talking to each other. My good friend Pete that owns the place lets me have a fire in his fire dome that he built. It is a huge round dome with benches all around it. There are some friends that come to see him every night to play guitar and sing songs. The atmosphere is so perfect that I don't want to leave. I wish I could stay forever.

My Favourite Restaurant

by Glen Meyerink

In my mind, I can see my favourite restaurant. It is the Olive Garden. When you walk in the door you can smell the fresh bread lingering as you wait for a table. The hostesses and waiters are polite and helpful. When you are seated you can see that there are elegant place settings with wine glasses, white tablecloths, flowers and dim candlelight. You can hear soft romantic Italian music all around. The food is delicious and mouth watering. When you taste a bite it melts in your mouth. At the end of the meal the server places a chocolate mint with your bill. It is very satisfying.