A high school graduate with minimal reading ability, Dean knew that he needed to learn to read well to get a good job. In 2000, he started to work with a lady from his church, a tutor from the Keswick Valley Laubach Literacy Council. Learning to read his Bible has been the most difficult because of the hard names in it. He gets up and does a reading in his church now, which he could not do before.

My Road to Reading

My name is Dean Christie. I am 21 years old. I live in Central Hainesville, New Brunswick with my mom and dad. I was born with Spinal Meningitis and had a stroke while I was being born. I had to have several shunts and these required many operations.

When I was in Elementary school, someone from district office told my parents that I probably would be unable to learn to read and that I would just get frustrated if we continued to struggle in this area. I had teacher assistant help, but the school system just didn’t have the resources to give me instruction that I needed. We never gave up and I always worked hard to learn to read. When I was in high school I even attended after-school tutoring. Because I had a good memory, I would often memorize things that I wanted to “read” aloud. For example, I am very active in church and loved to read scripture so I would have someone read the section to me and I would repeat it phrase by phrase. My goal was to improve my reading so that I could read my bible.

I heard about Laubach Literacy’s adult reading program. I liked the fact that it was free – I had no idea at the time that I wouldn’t have to pay for tutoring. I also liked the fact that I didn’t have to travel outside my community.

I met with the Keswick Valley Laubach Literacy student/tutor coordinator and the tutor in October, 2000.We chose Wednesdays at my house to get together. We used the Voyager program, which I found easy and interesting. I have now completed 3 levels in Voyager and am in my 4th (there are 9 levels). I plan to continue until I have finished all the levels!

Improving my reading skills has done a lot for me. In August 2002, I was able to read scripture during my sister’s wedding ceremony. I now read scripture at home and at church in front of an audience. I also read novels. I am more confident, not just in reading, but in general. If I hadn’t started with the Laubach tutoring I would still be at a low reading level, instead of improving every day like I am now.

Written by Dean Christie Jr., Central Hainesville NB