National Adult Literacy Database

August 16, 1999

This story was written by Bill Burak, from Edmonton, Alberta. Bill has come a long way as far as learning is concerned. He has worked very hard in everything he's done. His family is very proud of him and they are here to support him in everything he sets out to accomplish for himself. Bill and his family give Prospects Literacy Association in Edmonton and June Baxter a lot of credit for their help. Bill's family is so proud of the way he has passed all of his very difficult exams. He did it all on his own and worked very hard to prove himself and other people that he could do this.

The Story of Bill Burak

by Bill Burak

I have been very fortunate that Prospects introduced me to June a little over 3 years ago. When June started working with me I had a lot of problems understanding what I was reading, writing and spelling. Over the last 3 years, working with June and Prospect I was able to learn from the help they have given me. I did homework, and exercises which had to be done every week before coming back to see June. We would review them most of the time to make sure I understood what was being asked of me, when completing the exercises. Prospects would also test us once a year to see what we had learned over the year working with our tutor. Each week working with June, we could see a difference in myself, so we kept at our hard work we were doing together. Over the years I tried running for counsillor for the Village of Wabamun, I took my boy, Alex, across the Province to Nova Scotia for 2 weeks. When I came back I did a story for Prospects Newsletter. It was a major accomplishment to be able to help my son with his school assignments. Also helping him with his homework and understanding what was being asked of him.

Reading was also very hard, when Alex would say "Dad, read me a story at bedtime from my books." At first I said, "I cannot," but over time I was able to read him his books. There was times when he would say, "Dad, that is not the right word" and would correct me. He thought that I was playing games with him. Over time I got better and better at reading to him.

The best thing was when Alex said to me "Dad, you don't make as many mistakes in your words when you read to me."

Over the last year, I have taken a Drafting course and passed it. I got 75% first exam, 90% second exam. I also took my First Aid Course plus a CPR and got 92%. I had to do this in order to become a security guard for Pinkertons of Canada. On that test I was able to complete and understand. I worked very hard and spent many hours to do this. Just look at the results of my hard work. It does pay off when you work hard and stay, as well as not giving up. If you find that you are having trouble understanding your work, then ask someone for help. But try and figure it out for yourself first. I can also now look up names, numbers and addresses in the telephone book. I can write letters and be able to read them and make changes to make them sound better, so that the person reading them will understand what I am saying to them.

With my new job I need to fill out reports everyday. It is very important to make sure that what I write will be understood fully by the reader. My wife, friends, family and lawyers all have said they see a difference in myself, especially since I'm not asking them to do my reading, and writing all the time. I can now do it for myself. I find now that I will write a letter if I need to say something to someone or get them to understand what I am trying to say, or if I want somebody to fix something.

When I needed to write a report for work to give to my new boss, I wasn't sure if I could do it or now. But, I said to myself, "No one else is here to do it for you, so I better do it myself" and I did. Everyday I try to pick up a newspaper and read, also reading books I also find myself being able to remember names and faces of people I work with and interact with. I have come a long way.