It’s always cause for celebration when writers join the elite group of those having their work published.
When the author is an adult who is learning to read and write, the accomplishment is even more impressive.
Recently, 69 adult learners from 20 Oklahoma literacy programs had their stories published in the anthology “Celebrating Our Journey.” The statewide literacy project was sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the federal Institute for Museum and Library Services. The stories relate the struggles and triumphs of learning to read as adults and how these new skills have changed the lives of the authors.
The stories are powerful and inspirational and those associated with adult literacy are proud of all the individuals who took the time to write a story....
Student authors often write about the confidence, hope and pride that learning to read has given them. Others write about the struggles they encountered before learning to read. Joe Davidson, Muskogee resident, wrote the following story that was included in the anthology.
“I found myself in the position where I had to know how to read. But before I could, I had to admit to myself that I had a problem. Only then, could I take care of it. I went to the library to learn how to read and write and spell. I am getting better at it. To those that think they are better than you and want to prove it, but don't admit there is a problem, I say you can do something about the problem. You have to admit the problem like I did. My mother asked me to learn to read before she passed away. I made a promise to her that I would. I learned to read and spell. I kept my promise to her.”
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