Group plans to write happy ending to issue
Published Saturday October 17th, 2009
Learning to read | Book features stories about people who succeeded
A group of writers and adult learners is planning to travel the province to inspire and encourage more New Brunswickers to learn to read and write.
Marilyn Lerch, one of the writers and editors of Breaking the Word Barrier: Stories of Adults Learning to Read, said many adult learners are facing the same challenges and need to know they're not alone.
"That's why the Literacy Roadshow was created. We felt it was important that the stories and experiences of the 17 people featured in this book are shared," Lerch said.
"We want to inspire other adults out there facing these same challenges and let them know that help is available."
Breaking the Word Barrier was published recently by Goose Lane Editions.
It was created after several writers came together through the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick to capture the stories of adult learners.
Now that the project is complete, the authors and adult learners featured in the book plan to visit the communities of Miramichi, Woodstock, Saint John, Sackville, Fredericton and Moncton.
The first roadshow appearance will be at the Woodstock Community Centre on Oct. 28.
Burtts Corner resident Bev Arbeau said he plans to be there.
He knows what it's like to struggle with literacy.
The 48-year-old man, who was featured in the book, spent much of his life avoiding jobs that required literacy skills.
When he came across something he had to read, he would ask friends to decipher it for him.
Arbeau obtained his high school diploma in Nackawic, but he said he left school without really learning to read.
"My oldest son asked for help with his homework one night and I couldn't help him," he said.
"It wasn't a good feeling. It was the first time I really wanted to get help with learning to read."
That was eight years ago.
Arbeau has been working on his skills ever since through a free tutoring service offered by Laubach Literacy New Brunswick, a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to helping people reach their reading potential.
"I'm still struggling, but it's a work in progress," he said.
"There are more jobs open to me now and I'm able to help my youngest son a little bit with his homework, and that feels great. That's why I don't mind sharing with others what I went through."
Lerch said the book features many heart-wrenching stories, but all are success stories.
"Most of us take reading and writing for granted. Imagine what it would be like to admit you're an adult and you can't read. That's tough, and it takes a lot of courage to seek help," Lerch said.
"My hope for this book is that it reaches out to others who are struggling. I hope it inspires them to make a change and let them know it's never too late to learn to read."
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