“I’m so ashamed I can’t read or write. I can’t help my children with their homework.”

“My granddaughter asked me to read a story to her. I make an excuse each time she ask. I’m embarrassed.”

There are many adults within our own community that have never learned to read or have only enough reading skills to enable them to read a few basic signs and directions. You may not realize it because adults who do not have reading skills or have low reading skills avoid situations that would reveal their inability to read. Sometimes they will pretend to read to avoid embarrassment.

“I have always been able to earn a good living by working hard, but have always had to fake everything because I didn’t want anyone to know I couldn’t read or write.”

“Everyone was playing a game at the party. It was a pencil and paper game. I pretended to write something down. When it came my turn to give my answer, I either repeated someone else’s answer or said I didn't know. When I go to a restaurant I can only order hamburger or chicken because I can’t read the menu, even though I pretend that I can.”

You may think you don’t know an adult who can’t read. You might be surprised.

It could be your next door neighbor, your coffee shop acquaintance, your friend at the hair dresser, or your golf buddy. It may be the lady that you see every Sunday at church singing from the hymnal and following along in the Bible.

Maybe it’s the person who has foolishly wasted away life or it could be the wealthiest person in town that has the successful business. It could be the quiet friend that likes to stay home or the annoying person who is always in the middle of things.

It could be anyone. There is no defining description for a person who is not able to read.

“My mom always amazed me at how smart she was. She encouraged all five of her children to get the best education possible. Yet my mom couldn’t read or write.

“I was in seventh grade. My teacher ask me to read a paragraph. I did. I was reading the words is, the, and, it. That is all I knew. The teacher went on to someone else. Now, I’m a senior and I still can’t read. I dropped out of school when I was 15. Reading has always been hard for me. I want to get my GED.

“I run a successful business, but I couldn’t do it without my wife because I can’t read or write.”

There are many challenges caused by inadequate reading skills.

People who cannot read may not have a job because they cannot fill out the application, or they may lose their job because of mistakes due to lack of reading skills. They may take too little or too much medication causing more health problems and health related bills. They may not travel because they can’t read the signs or follow a map. There won’t be any home baked cookies because they can’t read recipes. They have to rely on others to help with finances. When their children ask for help with their schoolwork they find an excuse. They will not be able to share the reading of special bedtime stories. These are just a few of the consequences.

Consequences that can cause many hardships in their daily lives.

“I was a new father, 23 years old. My child was sick. The doctor wrote a prescription and I got it filled from the drug store. I didn’t know how much to give my child or how often because I couldn't read the directions. I went to apply for a job. They gave me an application and I started to take it with me.

“They said I needed to fill it out there and leave it with them. I left it with them. I can’t read or write.”

You may be a friend to someone who is unable to read. They trust you and have told you about their inability to read. You may be reading for them, filling out the applications, helping them disguise their problem so they will not be “found out.” You can help them. You can make a difference in their life. You can give the gift of reading.

“Learning to read is like coming out of the dark. Knowing how to read has made my life easier and more enjoyable. I have my self-confidence back. I’m doing things I never thought I could do . . . to be able to read is everything. I care about tomorrow because tomorrow means another word and another book.

“I can read, what a wonderful gift.”

If you are interested in helping others learn to read you can become a tutor or tell someone who cannot read about our literacy program at the Muskogee Public Library.

Contact Penny Chastain, Adult Literacy coordinator at Muskogee Public Library, 801 W. Okmulgee Ave., Muskogee 74401. Call at 682-6657, Ext. 246. It will be a gift that is never forgotten. The above quotes are by new adult readers.