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http://www.dominionpost.com/a/edit/2001/03/11/af/
Sunday March 11, 2001
3. Consider helping someone learn to read
To the Editor:
As President of LVA-Monongalia
County, I want to thank The Dominion Post for its fine coverage
of our literacy programs through editorial and feature articles. February
is Literacy Awareness month and in a flash the month is behind us but the
importance of literacy has not faded. The numbers of individuals who have
little to no reading skills remain much too great. The high-tech world
in which we live and work has little place or patience for those who were
left behind educationally.
Due to illness I retired early from a wonderful
career as a physician and surgeon and shortly thereafter began working
with Literacy Volunteers of America. I have done a lot of rewarding things
in life but few gave me the joy I felt when I read the letter you included
in your editorial the first Sunday of February. The writer was my first
student and when we began she could not write the alphabet in its entirety.
When she looked at me with a sparkle in her eye I had never seen before
and said, "Wow, rea ding is fun!" I nearly burst with pride in her accomplishment.
Watching her progress over the past four years has shown me that saving
lives happens in all sorts of ways. She is now beginning training in a
good, well paying job and filled out the require d forms completely by
herself.
I would encourage your readers to stop and think
what life would be like without the ability to read. We take road signs
for granted. The nonreader is a prisoner and can not venture past the well-known
route. We easily read the labels on our medicine. Th e nonreader lives
in fear of a mistake. The list goes on and on. Think about it. Then if
you like to read and like people, give LVA a call at 296-3400. There is
something for everyone.
Ellen Hrabovsky
Morgantown