I Was Illiterate For 45 Years - Paperback

by Hal Boyer (Illustrator), Jack Cox Williams (Author)

This is a not-so-fictional autobiography of Jeff Daeron, a functionally illiterate man living in constant fear that his illiteracy would be discovered by his boss, family, and friends with humiliating and otherwise disastrous results. The first part describes how he dealt with situations that required the ability to read such as "I forgot my glasses", "I don't have time to fill out the form now, I'll bring it back in the morning", or "I'm tired, ask mommy to help you read it". Just getting a driver's license or eye glasses were extremely stressful experiences. Jeff lived on the edge, always prepared to run, dodge, and hide from his disability. Then by chance he meets John, an adult literacy tutor. The second part describes how they started from scratch in basic english and math, and how a courageous Jeff emerged from darkness, despair, and hopelessness to a whole new life as his literacy skills grew. It was like being born again! Hitherto unknown feelings emerged such as self-respect and confidence. His health, family life, and and job prospects improved. He made new friends. For the first time he felt enfranchised, no longer an outsider.

Author Biography

The author received his BA from Tufts, MA from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy from Tufts (with Harvard), and Ph-D from the University of Natal, South Africa. He served two tours in the U.S. Naval Air Corp first as a navigator and then as legal officer. He retired from 25 years of U.S. Government civilian service as a senior executive. He and his wife Penny live near their daughter and grandchildren. Jack's hobbies are history, tennis, tutoring, and woodworking.