Literacy

Illiteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me. I later was challenged by friends in recovery to try to go back to school. I was asked to go all the way and get a scholarship to attend the world renowned, ' University Of Utah's School on Alcoholism & Other Drug Dependencies." Frightened and with no confidence, I put on my," selective denial upon demand hat," and went to University for a week long, professional course with professional doctors and others from all around the world. I wrote my paper for my credit and my grade. I was given a 4.0GPA at the U of U and cried. It didn't fit me. I couldn't wear the hat nor the grade no matter how well deserved it all was, no matter how hard I worked for it, I cried. I spent 2 weeks looking for anyone professional to tell me that the grade was wrong and the Dean was just being kind to me. No one would tell me I was stupid, nor that the grade was undeserved. In fact they all told me they had college grads that couldn't spell or write as well as I could and that the paper I wrote was a very innovative, leading edge of thought and a possible very good answer to many of the problems facing kids on the streets today. I still cried. I had an almost impossible task of changing a belief that had been shoved down my throat my whole life by ignorant, abusive people, who in my opinion are the problem and core of the illiteracy problems we face in our society today. So.................... Not to be mean, nor blame anyone for anything, I just want to say that if you know someone who cannot spell, or read, or write, the right thing to do is to help them learn where to find the correct spelling and to lift them up with praise and confidence about how precious they are. How important what they think and have to offer this world is. How they are one of a kind and the mold has been broken and if they don't let their voice and innovative thoughts be known by this world, we very well could be losing a battle that would have been won, if they had just believed in themselves no matter what others may think, say, or do. It doesn't take much time to help someone learn to read or spell. If you let them know the benefits of the skills learned, and promise them they will never be sorry for learning these few things, you may help the world in ways you may never ever be blessed to know. This is the true meaning of pay it forward..... just my spin, my opinion, my ignorant, 6th grade education with my now 3.6 GPA at community college and my 4.0 GPA at University .... I still cry.... but the tears are because I believed those people were telling me the truth about myself, and no one ever came along to argue the belief. People have a way of living up to your expectations of them... you decide..... In the Spirit of LOVE, LIGHT. TRUTH, & SERVICE, Ms."Stubborn" TerrieAnnIlliteracy is a sad thing. The problem is not with the person who cannot spell, it is more with the culture accepting it as if it were okay. T.V. computers, and not enough nurturing of our children's individual imaginations is at the heart of the problem. We have the ability to be a country full of very educated citizens, yet we have a nation full of poor kids with gangs for families and no real values of their own. If pride is only regarded as a word which means we should be able to be accepted with whatever our sexual orientation is and is not associated with any other idea of thought, well then pride is not what I would call it anymore. Most of the children I have met who are behind in their ability to use the English language well enough to express themselves, have been told they are stupid and will never get anywhere in this world, so why should they bother themselves with an education.... I was one of those kids. I was left abandoned by my whole family at 16 yrs old when my mom died suddenly. By 18 yrs old I was working full time and attempting to raise my younger brother alone. I tried to go to school and to work and raise my brother who was 13 at the time. I was unable to pull it off because a lot of educated people working for the state of Calif. thought they knew what was best for myself and my brother. They stopped me, and put up road blocks everywhere they could because they knew it all. I spent many years working hard labor jobs no woman should have to work. I spent a lot of time struggling to make ends meet and keep my brother from ending up on drugs with thugs and out of the criminal justice system, all the while believing I would never amount to anything other than what my 6th grade education would get me.