[NLA] Literacy Day 2002

[Archie Willard]

September is the month when we celebrate literacy in our country and
around the world.  International Literacy Day will be September 8. I’m
thankful that there are people who care that others have literacy
problems and want to make things better for those who struggle with
literacy. I want to congratulate everyone who has made improvements in
their reading and writing this past year. I hope your life has become
better and happier because of what you have accomplished. As we think
about adult literacy in our country there will always be a need to help
adults with their literacy needs. There are too many people in our
country who need to be in a literacy program but are not. Many are not
there because of fear and they just can’t get over the hump to go. There
are all kinds of methods of teaching and there is help for adults who
want to improve their reading and writing. If we are going to help,
first we need to encourage people who need help, then help mend their
broken spirits before they can improve their reading and writing.
Somehow the hidden spark inside of them that will make them want to have
a better life needs to be found and kindled. All the testing and facts
are useless without some kind of initial moral support.

Health literacy is becoming a big issue today. Health providers and
adults with literacy problems should partner and work together to help
others to understand about the health literacy problems adult learners
face. By working together with the health care providers we can bring
new literacy awareness to society. If adult learners are going to keep
up with the ever changing health care system we need to learn to better
communicate and develop a good relationship with our health care
providers. We need to learn about preventive medicine, take control of
our own health, understand our own individual health needs, and work
with our family doctors. MD’s need to be conscious of and understand
that a good number of people who come into their offices each day
struggle with reading every day of their lives. If good health care is
going to be received, MD’s will have to come down and meet us at our
level of understanding. Many adult learners put off going to a medical
clinic because of fear of their literacy problems being noticed. Many
little medical problems could be taken care of before they become big
ones if only the adult learners didn't have that fear and would go early
when their problems are still small ones. There needs to be an open and
relaxed environment when going into a medical clinic.

To all the people with literacy problems:  The opportunity to improve
your literacy skills should be a gift to you provided by the people of
our country.  What better way could there be for our country to invest
tax dollars than in its own people to have more productive, prosperous,
and fulfilling lives. There should be freedom in the way you learn and
you should be able to learn the way you feel you can learn best. You
need to find your God-given gifts and strengths develop them in the way
you feel you can use them the best. Then be open about them and share
them with others. Be a critical thinker, think for yourself. Get
involved with the process of our government and help open doors for
others with literacy problems. Find other adult learners and work
together.

Because of new thinking about adult literacy in our country it is not
what it was a year or two ago. Adult literacy needs new strong
leadership and the states need to help the adult literacy field to move
forward on the national level.  If we as a literacy field can stand
strong and work together for the next few years, adult literacy can
become stronger.

To all:  Think about the literacy problems in our country and how you
can help make them better. Each person can make a difference.  Have a
good Literacy Day.

Archie Willard
Adult Learner

--
Archie Willard
millard at goldfieldaccess.net
URL - http://www.readiowa.org/archiew.html



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