Literacy Saved My Life

Edmonton, Alberta - Asking for help is the first and often hardest step.

One common challenge among adults with reading and writing difficulties is the stigma associated with having low literacy and essential skills. This was the case with Danny Haines, who found that his biggest challenge was admitting that he needed help to improve these important skills.

It all started for Danny when he was recovering from a work-related injury. He realized that higher literacy and essential skills would help him obtain a better job and be more successful.

But Danny was embarrassed to tell people that he needed help. Over the years, he had been offered promotions or office-related work, but due to his low literacy and essential skills, he had always turned the offers down for fear that someone would find out about his weakness. When, later on, his wife called the Project Adult Literacy Society (PALS), funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's (HRSDC) Office of Literacy and Essential Skills, to set up an initial appointment for him, Danny made the life-changing decision to enrol in a literacy program.

He now finds that enhancing his skills has opened new doors and new opportunities that he never even dreamed of in the past. Danny is currently employed as a truck driver at the Food Bank. His improved literacy skills have enabled him to obtain his Air Brake, Fork Lift and First Aid certificates, which are required for his new job. Furthermore, he has gained self-confidence and is currently Alberta's Literacy Learner Representative with the Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL), a national organization. He is also the Vice Chair of the Learner's Advisory Network (LAN) Leadership Team, which is a part of the MCL Board.

As he became more involved in the literacy community, Danny realized that he was not alone and that there were many adults like him who needed help. Going to Ottawa in the spring of 2007 and speaking before a Senate committee on literacy was one of Danny's most exciting opportunities. Although Danny is still not very comfortable talking about himself, he is passionate about literacy and feels that, if his story can inspire others to begin their own literacy journey, then it's worth it. If he had been told five years ago that he would one day speak before the Senate of Canada, Danny says that he would not have believed it. In September 2008, Danny also received Alberta's Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

When asked how the experience changed his life, Danny revealed, “It hasn't just changed my life, but I really believe it has saved my life!” He added that he wants people to hear his story so that they will be encouraged to seek help, and that for him, this is a way of giving back to those who have helped him. Thanks to HRSDC, PALS and the backing of supportive family members who are so happy to see the positive changes in his life, Danny is on his way to many years of continued success.