Learning to Read at 42: How One Man Changed

In 2021, at the age of 42, Peter possessed the reading level of a four-year-old. Having spent his entire adult life building a career, marriage, and family, he had navigated the world through careful planning and his wife’s support. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, disrupted his established coping mechanisms. As his wife began home-schooling their 10-year-old son, Peter felt deep shame over his inability to assist, his job as a lorry driver was paused, and even routine errands became overwhelming. And even simple tasks like shopping had become incredibly difficult, my wife was home-schooling our 10-year-old son and I was ashamed to not be able to help; my usual work as a lorry driver was put on hold. However, the world turned upside down and my usual way of going through life exploded, during the Covid lockdowns. It hit me that the way I had been living my life previously could not continue.

The breaking point occurred in a supermarket aisle while attempting to select dairy-free and soy-free milk for his family. Fearing he might accidentally purchase an allergen that could harm them, he realized his lifestyle was no longer sustainable. Though he initially hid his struggle, he eventually confided in his wife, who connected him with an organization capable of offering the help he had failed to find despite multiple attempts since leaving school. Since leaving school, I had tried multiple times to learn how to read – nothing had worked.

His struggle with literacy was rooted in a difficult childhood in Lancashire. Born partially deaf, he faced constant sensory overload in standard classrooms, and a stint at a special school proved equally challenging due to the diverse needs of his peers. Following multiple ear operations, his hearing returned, but the damage to his education was done; he was often relegated to the back of the class. He eventually left school at 16 with no qualifications, struggling with a severe stammer brought on by anxiety. At the same time, I had several operations on my ears, which meant my hearing came back, but by then I had been told to sit at the back of the class and keep quiet. Because she was dealing with enough already, but once I got home it just came out that I was struggling, i didn’t want to tell my wife. I didn’t think it was worth trying again but she convinced me to do it for her.

Despite his academic hurdles, Peter found success by leveraging his aptitude for visualization. After working on a farm, he obtained his driving licence, as the process did not include a written theory component. He built a career as a lorry driver starting at 22, relying on his ability to mentally map routes and memorize road signs and motorway numbers. Even when a friend encouraged him to return to college in 2010, the attempt failed because he lacked the foundational literacy skills required for the curriculum. It was there, however, that he met his future wife, who became his partner in navigating daily life.

Following his realization in the supermarket, Peter met with Alison, a volunteer from the charity Read Easy. Although he experienced an anxiety-driven meltdown before their first meeting, Alison quickly put him at ease. They began working through reading manuals developed by the Shannon Trust, meeting twice weekly for three years. His primary motivation was to read the Harry Potter series, which he felt a personal connection to due to his experiences as an outsider.

The transformation has been profound. Peter has since finished his first Harry Potter book and now enjoys activities like cooking with his son by following written recipes. Today, as an ambassador for Read Easy, he advocates for others—particularly men who may feel ashamed—to seek support. With plans to pursue a GCSE in English and a desire to change careers, he remains focused on helping others, noting that he currently has three books in progress. Peter’s story is featured in the programme “The Book That Changed My Life,” airing on 14 October on BBC Two and iPlayer.