National Adult Literacy Database

July 7, 2008

The following story was written by Jamie Simon, from Moncton, New Brunswick. Jamie is enrolled in literacy classes at the Moncton Regional Learning Council.  He also won a first prize in the Adult new writers’ contest in the Northrup Fry Literary Festival in Moncton this past spring.

How Reading Changed My Life

by Jamie Simon

When I started (adult) school in 2005 I knew I had a difficult journey ahead of me. As a child I had a lot of trouble in school, I did not understand most of the material they gave me. Grades 1 to 5 were especially hard because I did not have the proper teaching or resources to help me. But I said to myself nothing is impossible when you put positive thinking ahead of yourself. I opened a window of opportunity for myself by going back to school.

When I dropped out of school at the age of 16 I did not have the will or encouragement to go back. It was not until 2005 that I had the strength to go back. It was still difficult, but I slowly started to understand.

I am proud of myself for going back to school, and now I am able to read magazines, menus and much more. I am also a more open and positive person. Meeting a lot of caring people has made me stronger and more confident.

If I had stayed in school my life would have been different. However, I did not know how important an education was until I was much older. My dream now is to complete Grade 12, have a career, my own place, and be self-sufficient and independent. Eventually I would love to go to college or university.

I want to be a good role model for my family, since most of them did not complete school; sorry to say! I want to enjoy life to the fullest but, in my case, that is going to be 10 times more difficult than most. But, I have learned that nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it.

A key to my success in this program has been having a strong teacher who is very positive and devoted. I know that she wants me to succeed in life. Since I started I do not get so down or depressed. School has changed my moods and I am overcoming depression by filling myself with knowledge. The last five months have been the first time in my life that I have been HAPPY. I hope this continues so that I can complete my dream and become a better person.

If anyone is thinking about quitting school, they should not because schooling is so important, it opens the future for a better life. Please stay in school, you will get somewhere. Be positive and work hard for a better future.

[This story was taken with permission, from an article in The Times-Transcript, April 29, 2008. The article, entitled "Improving literacy changes for the better", was written by Peter Sawyer, the President of the Moncton Regional Learning Council.]