A Birmingham father has opened up about the profound impact of learning to read in his late 20s, after years of quietly navigating life while hiding his illiteracy. Shane Johnson described the daily anxiety and embarrassment caused by simple tasks like reading a menu or a letter, feeling as though the words were indecipherable.
Mr Johnson's struggles began in school, where he found it difficult to concentrate and make progress, even in a school designed for children with additional needs. By the age of 11, his reading and writing skills had shown minimal improvement, a gap that only widened as he grew older. He recalls feeling "terribly awkward" in classes and the profound sense of being left behind.
The turning point came in his late 20s when, while studying Entry Level 2 English at Birmingham Adult Education Service's Selly Oak centre, a tutor recommended he contact Read Easy. This charity provides free, one-to-one reading coaching for adults, and the support from a volunteer coach gradually transformed Mr Johnson's relationship with words.
Beyond simply deciphering text, Mr Johnson discovered a genuine enjoyment for reading. He now spends his leisure time immersed in novels, has improved his handwriting, and even writes his own stories. This newfound literacy has also significantly boosted his confidence, which has spilled over into other areas of his life, including volunteering in a charity shop and exploring acting on TikTok.
Rosalind Venables from Read Easy explains that Mr Johnson's experience is not uncommon. Many adults conceal their reading difficulties for years due to intense feelings of shame, developing elaborate coping mechanisms. She noted that poor literacy affects much more than just reading books; it can significantly impact employment prospects, relationships, self-esteem, and an individual's ability to participate fully in community life.
Mr Johnson hopes that by sharing his story, he can inspire other adults who feel ashamed of their reading difficulties to realise it is never too late to seek help. His journey underscores the transformative power of literacy, not just in recognising words, but in fostering self-belief and opening up a world of opportunities.