National Adult Literacy Database

January 7, 2008

The following story was written by Marg, from Fredericton, New Brunswick. Marg had a tutor with Laubach Literacy Fredericton to help her with her reading and writing skills. She has done some promotional ads for LLNB. Marg has been working off and on in Ontario and Alberta.

Story

by Marg

My school years were a nightmare. My best year was kindergarten. I liked my teacher and thought that school would be great. Grade 4 was the start of a downhill slide. I would ask my teacher for help, and would get in trouble but no help. I went to the principal and asked to be put in the opportunity class. That was a class known as the stupid class. I needed help. I was willing to do whatever but no one took the time to help or even listen. In Grade 8 my life became a real hell. I remember so clearly the day the teacher gave the class a spelling test, and she dropped a Grade 5 speller on my desk and said, “Here, you do this. That’s where you are.” I was so embarrassed in front of the whole class. I threw the book on her desk and said “No! I’m in Grade 8 not 5.” Instead of giving me help, they just overlooked me.

I started Grade 9 with no clue. I started in September and quit in December and got married in February at the age of 15. I had five children by the age of 25. Their school years were very hard for me. To send a note or sign a form, I was put on the spot many times. When I wrote a grocery list it was only me that knew what I really needed. If you were going to get pit stick, film for a brownie, and four cans of cock, would you know what was on the list?

Years passed and I ended up on my own and I feel that my divorce cost me so much more because when I got a letter, I always had to call the lawyer because I never understood the letter.

Many more years passed and I felt that I would settle with things the way they were. I remarried and then one day a friend called and said that there was an ad in the paper to help adults learn to read. That was the beginning of a new life.

I called and left my name and wrong number. Then I called back with my right number. The person getting the call must have thought, “We have a real winner here.” Well, within days I met with a real live angel. That angel is Kim Schnarr. We talked, we cried and I went home. Within two days Kim called and said, “I have a tutor for you.” I was so happy. I then asked “Who?” and she said, “Myself.”

We have worked together for a year now and what a great friendship we have. We work hard and laugh just as hard. Kim has been there with me in some very hard times and she has been what has kept me going. Years ago I could have just walked, but not now. One of the best things to come into my life is Kim and her patience with me. I now read aloud, spell for others, and I no longer feel like a fool. Oh yes, and that grocery list? Did you know what it was? Pit stick, film for a brownie and four cans of cock? It was deodorant, toilet paper and four cans of coke!

I'm now work at The Doctor Margaret Savage Crisis Centre in Cold Lake as a crisis intervention worker. I work with clients one on one. We house women and children up to 31 at a time. I also answer the phones for the crisis centre and 5 help lines. With the help lines we help women, men and young adults. We are there for everyone. The first week I was there I had two suicide calls with in hours. Thank goodness I had just finished a course and got my certificate that day.

Thank God for Kim Schnarr and her hours of understanding for me and my needs. And all the others who helped me to believe in myself. Not a day goes by that I don't stop and think about you all back home. I'm so thankful. My goal in life is to see that others reach their dreams as I have.

In Aug. of 2007 I will be doing an online course through Portage College to get my degree. Each day to me is a learning day no matter how little or big just as long as I learn something.

[This story was taken with permission, from the Laubach Literacy Fredericton website, in the Learners’ section.]