One of our readers, who would prefer to remain anonymous, is learning to read later in life and recently shared an earlier life experience with her reading coach. It clearly demonstrates one catastrophic effect of not being able to read. The story could equally apply to the use of medicines by parents for their children or the use of dangerous mechanical equipment in the workplace.
Never having the opportunity to attend school, our reader suffered an industrial accident when using an acetone cleaning fluid on a ‘plastic/rubber’ flooring, which resulted in hospitalisation of three people from fume inhalation. Unable to read the precautionary instructions, she had fortunately donned rubber gloves, as she recognised the black cross on a red background symbol.
Following this incident, she subsequently lost her job.
Now in her 60’s and fully employed, she is determined to do something for herself and is enjoying learning to read.