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Inspired to reach a goal
Vaudreuil-Dorion man honoured for his efforts to learn how to read
ALYCIA AMBROZIAK
The Gazette
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Treldon James reads with his daughter, Keana. (GRAHAM HUGHES/The Gazette)
Treldon James knew that his reading and writing skills were not where he wanted them to be.
But it wasn’t until his daughter, Keana, was about four years old that James decided he wanted to do something about it.
“That’s the reason I really went back – for Keana,” James said last week from his home in Vaudreuil-Dorion. “I want her to look up to me as a role model.”
James is well on his way to be a role model – not just for his now 7-year-old daughter, but for others who somehow fell through the literary cracks.
James is the winner of a 2009 Canada Post Community Literacy Award in the category of individual achievement.
“I was very proud that my tutor nominated me for the award,” James said, noting that a special ceremony took place Friday at a Canada Post office in Vaudreuil-Dorion. “And I am very happy to receive it.”
James said his story is not unlike many others.
“I came to Canada from Trinidad when I was 8 years old and had to go to French elementary even though my first language was English,” he said, adding that high school “didn’t do anything for me” and he ended up in an adult education class with newly-arrived immigrants to Canada.
“I left because I just couldn’t relate, although I passed a couple of classes,” James said.
He found work at UPS – where he still works as a driver – met his fiancee Elizabeth and became a father to Keana.”
“I had heard about Literacy Unlimited and three years ago, decided to give it a try,” James said.
His literacy skills have improved dramatically and he is now experimenting with public speaking.
Sue Morgan, a volunteer tutor with Literacy Unlimited, said working with James has been a pleasure.
“He used to be very shy but in the past year, he has become less so,” she said. “You can see the gradual growth in confidence – and he was able to pass his Class 1 driving test for big rigs, which is not offered in audio version – that is a big step.”
James said he hopes others who have difficulty reading and writing step forward.
“I want people to know that they don’t have to hide – almost everyone who has trouble reading or writing tries to hide it – look at former Canadiens coach Jacques Demers for example,” he said, referring to the former Canadiens coach and soon to be Senator in the House of Commons who surprised the world when he announced in 2005 that he was functionally illiterate but had managed to hide it for many years.
“But you don’t have to hide,” James added. “You can do something about it.”
Robert Waite, senior vice-president of Corporate Social Responsibility at Canada Post, said the program, of which Canwest is a presenting sponsor, said the awards were established more than 16 years ago to acknowledge the achievements of Canadians who have made a special effort or important contribution to literacy.
“Every submission relates a story that can be difficult to hear,” he said in a prepared statement. “But when you understand how hard our nominees have worked to change their literacy story, and the impact of their effort...you cannot help but be moved.”
For James however, it’s all about Keana.
“I enjoy being able to sit and read with her,” he said.
Literacy Unlimited in Pointe Claire can be reached at 514-694-0007.
i came to canada when i was
i came to canada when i was eight also but i didnt even speak english ,and now i'm a dentist so excuses excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!