Ed Castor, an adult learner living in Indiana, has struggled with a learning difference for his entire life.  Yet, for most of his life, he didnít even know it.  Hear his remarkable story as he was employed by one of the largest corporations in the nation, and was still not able to read.  For many years Ed successfully accomplished the difficult task of keeping his inability to read a secret, even from those closest to him, such as his friends and colleagues.  In spite of his inability to read, Ed was a remarkable worker.  Over the forty years Ed spent at General Motors (GM), he was offered promotion, after promotion.  Yet, he turned them all down.  Finally, one day he was offered yet another promotion that would increase his salary by over eight thousand ($8,000.00) dollarsóEd turned that down as well!  His boss just couldnít understand why he wouldnít take advantage of such an excellent opportunity.  That is when, for the first time, Ed revealed his inability to read.  And that is when his life even took a more dramatic change.  Because Ed made his inability to read public, he was then able to get the help that he needed. Subsequently, he was diagnosed with a learning difference.  Ed says, ì It was a relief for me, because it gave me a reason why I was going through the struggle to learn all of my life.  I wasnít dumb, or stupidÖI (just) had a learning difference!î

After Ed learned how to read there was a dramatic improvement in his work.  Eventually, Ed was invited to several places around the country to speak of what an adult literacy program had done for him.  At a special national television program taped at the White House, called National Literacy Honors, Ed was was recognized as one who has done special things for education and was introduced by actor Patrick Swayze.  That is where Ed was asked by a GM executive to do something to help other employees who might need to get the help that Ed had gotten to improve his life.  In a joint project with General Motors and the United Auto Workers Union, Ed helped to develop a thirty million ($30,000,000) dollar educational program that would improve the lives of GM workers and their families across the country.  There Ed received the title of ìKey Lead Person for Employee Excellence Development,î for the education program.

Since learning how to read, Ed has gone on to obtain the GED credential, and has attended college at Anderson University in Indiana.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of VALUE (Voice for Adult Literacy United for Education).  VALUE is a national organization of former and current adult literacy students.  The organization is dedicated to advancing the cause of adult literacy throughout the United States.  In addition, he was recognized as one of former President George Bushís, ìOne Thousand Points of Light.î  Ed has taken part in several functions on behalf of literacy with former First Lady Barbara Bush.  He has had the opportunity to speak at the United Nations, also on behalf of literacy.
The accomplishments of Ed Castor prove that in spite of not knowing how to read, and having a learning difference, which just complicates things, with determination, you can still make it.
 
 

• "What prompted you to attend an adult literacy program?"


"I worked at General Motors for twenty five (25) years, and had hidden my
inability to read.  We are very intelligent people.  We know how to hide things like that.  So, I went on and bluffed my way through, until which time I received a job promotion.  Over the years I turned several of them down, but I took this one.  As time went on, I had to start doing paper work and keeping records."

• "In terms of your education, are there any challenges you face?"


"I have a learning difference that has given me problems in regards to learning, throughout my life."

• "What is your particular learning difference called?"


"Iíve been diagnosed with dyslexia.  Iíve gota pretty good dose of it. There were seven of us kids; and I think I got my brothersí and sistersí too!  Because they didnít have any problem with learning differences (smile)."

• "How did you find out that you have a learning difference? Where was it diagnosed?  Describe that experience. How did you feel about the process?  For example, waiting for the test results for whatever time it was that you had to wait. Was it a tutor, or a teacher referral?"


"I went to work with a tutor and one day she began to read to me about people with dyslexia.  Iíd never heard of it before.  I said, ìOh my gosh, this is everything Iíve been going through!î  I was tested twice since then.  That was the confirmation.  It was a relief for me, because it gave me a reason why I was going through the struggle to learn all my life.  I wasnít dumb, or stupid like some people might have thought I wasóI had a learning difference!"

• "You were successful in learning how to read. You became an adult learner leader.  Many people with learning differences can relate to the challenges you face.  Although you've been diagnosed, your learning difference, it just doesn't go away.  How were you, with your learning difference, able to be successful in learning how to read, and in becoming an adult learner leader?"


"First, having a tutor with patience, who provided positive reinforcement,
along with repetition, and phonics, were the foundations for being successful in learning how to read, and in everything else that followed. "

• "What techniques did you use, or still use, to deal with your learning difference that made you able to become successful?"


"The larger the print, the easier it is for me to understand what is to be read.  Now if I have to write something I do okay.  But if someone has written something to me, I like for them to get to the point, because reading is a struggle.  Another tool is, when Iím going to read a lot, I do better with a subject that I know something about.  I also write things out and then go back and correct them.  Sometimes Iíll write something out, and read it back to my wife.  Sheís gotten so good that Iíll write something out and sheíll read it, and correct the spelling.  I get help everywhere.  God has blessed me in many many ways! "

• "What resources are you aware of that would help other adults with learning differences?  Classes?  Tutorials?  Materials?  Individual people?"


"Here, in Indiana, there are a number of resources.  I am the Vice Chairman for the Indiana Literacy Foundation.  That organization provides funds, knowledge and contacts for people and programs in our state.  That is a good resource.  The Madison County Literacy Program is where I received my help.  There are programs all over the state of Indiana where people can get help.  There are programs within libraries, as well as within schools."

• "What would you like to say to adult learners who may be struggling with learning differences (or just adult learners in general)?"


"You must really realize that you are not the only one in this situationóso often we think we are.  Donít spend your life worrying about what you canít do, but spend your life accomplishing the things that you want to do.  The things that you can do well, do them, and the others will come along. "