A man who had a reading age of a four-year-old at 42 years old began learning to read and write in 2021. He had navigated life with careful planning and his wife's help, but the Covid lockdowns made everyday tasks, such as shopping, increasingly difficult.
The turning point came in a supermarket when he became overwhelmed trying to find a specific milk for his dairy and soy-allergic wife and son. This experience led him to realise his previous way of life could not continue.
His wife suggested contacting the Read Easy charity, and he began meeting twice weekly with a volunteer. He has since completed reading his first Harry Potter book and is now an ambassador for Read Easy. He also intends to pursue a GCSE in English and change careers to help others.