Stephie was 33 and expecting her first baby when she first heard about Read Easy. 

She was unable to read, but dreamed of being able to share bedtime stories with her child. “I wanted to be a mum who could support her child learn to read,” she says. 

When she had left school at 16, her reading age was that of a five year-old. “Life as an adult had always been a struggle,” she says. “Road signs, form-filling, aisle notices in supermarkets; pretty much anything.” 

When it came to applying for work, she deliberately picked jobs that required very little reading. Having accepted life wasn’t going to get much better, she admits: “Not being able to read was part-and-parcel of who I was. 

“It wasn’t until I was pregnant that I decided not to accept this was my forever fate.” 

 Stephie contacted Read Easy. 

“It felt like a huge step, taking the plunge and reaching out to them,” she says. “I almost didn’t go to the meeting because I was terrified of failing. That was the hardest bit.” 

She persisted. “I went! And I discovered the Coaches were lovely, and so supportive.” 

Stephie was then two decades on from her dyslexia diagnosis aged 11, and says there was no judgement from the Coaches. “They made me feel comfortable, expertly guiding me through a one-to-one programme at my own pace. 

 “It’s free and totally confidential, and I absolutely loved the fact the sessions were only half an hour at a time.” 

Everyone has their own motivation to learn to read as an adult. Stephie’s was of course her daughter. “I wouldn’t have started my journey if it weren’t for her,” she says. It enabled Stephie to read the learning support notes that came home from nursery – and reading books together every night. 

Understanding phonics herself meant being able to help her daughter with her sounds. “That just feels wonderful,” Stephie beams. 

Now Stephie wants her own story to inspire other adults.    

 “I don’t like the idea of other people feeling the way I did about not being able to read,” she says. “Being an adult who struggles with reading has a massive impact on everyday life. 

“I want to give others some motivation to start their own reading journey.”

 “I would honestly urge any adult who struggles with reading to take the first step and contact Read Easy,” Stephie says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or older. It’s never too late to learn to read. 

“It’s not going to happen overnight, and you need to work on it. It is possible, though. 

 “And when you do work on it, and you achieve it, it is absolutely life-changing.” 

You can read and watch more about Stephie’s story in this recent interview with Dyslexia Action.