SPELL READ P.A.T. LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC. is built around the discoveries of Kay MacPhee. Kay spent 25 years learning and developing techniques to enable the hearing-impaired to develop language skills and learn how to read. At the request of a local physician, Kay began to work with students who were said to be learning disabled or dyslexic and found that they couldn't hear the sounds of the language either, similar to a hearing impaired student.
Kay continuously modified and advanced her approach to reading instruction over several decades. The findings of scientists working with the National Institutes of Health provided Kay with the confidence she needed to continue to search for more and more effective instructional practices. No moment is more gratifying than when a student reaches a point where reading becomes a tool for learning as well as being a pleasurable experience.
Spell Read was founded in 1994 and began to expand from its single location in 1998. The company now has locations throughout the Eastern Seaboard. In the past year, licensing agreements have been established with a private training college in Atlantic Canada and with a public school district in suburban Baltimore. In 2001, several business publications identified Spell Read as one of the four fastest growing companies in the Atlantic Region. This growth is an indication of both the extent of the need and the effectiveness of the Spell Read program.
Learning to Read Acquiring the gift of knowledge, and knowledge is power
Do you feel that you are unable to reach your potential in life? Are doors of opportunity closed to you? Do you think you are not as smart as everyone else?
Spell Read Cofounder, Kay Reeves
That is exactly how I felt for many years. I could not read properly and couldn't write anything except my name. I felt stupid, defeated, worthless. I masked this hurt and pretended I was fine, but I was always frightened of being asked to read or write. My experience taught me about pain, ignorance, and fear, but it also taught me about strength, hope, and courage. I know many others share my struggle. We know the terror of unemployment, the hopelessness, and the hunger for knowledge. Reading is the gift of knowledge and knowledge is power.
To those people who know what I'm talking about, I want you to know that you do do not have to hide anymore. You are not a failure. You can learn to read and write. We got lost in the system and weren't taught the way we needed as children. But it is never too late to learn. For me, this is how it happened.
In order to raise my two little girls, I had to go on social assistance. Later, I worked as a dishwasher but things didn't get better. I would have gladly given an arm or leg for the ability to write a single card, a grocery list, or a love letter. I had tried many literacy programs over the years, but to no avail. The day came when I decided I could no longer live in fear of being found out, always pretending to be someone that I wasn't. I was a single mother looking for a miracle. I met a man who was in business and this would be a turning point in my life. I found this way of life very exciting, so I listened and learned and asked questions. I thought if I could run my own business, I could look after my daughters.
I went into business as people often do when they don't have the skills to work for someone else. The girls continued to be my writing hands and no one knew about my problem. At the time the fitness craze was coming into full force so I started a fitness centre. After being turned down for financial backing repeatedly, I finally found an institution to lend me money. It was a small credit union and the man I dealt with was the kindest, most sincere banker I have ever met. He didn't know I couldn't write.
I built the gym, but the fear was always there. There were newspaper ads to write and notes to take. My memory became so full that sometimes I felt my head would burst. The gym was successful. I kept it for four years then sold it. East Coast Gym will always hold a special place in my heart as it was the first thing I ever did on my own. I went on to run other shops and travel the world. I visited Hong Kong and the Middle East. In Japan, I met representatives of companies like Fuji and Mitsubishi. Some business ventures were successful and some were not. I always felt cheated. It was my right to have an education, at least the fundamental writing skills.
Through my business connections, I went to work for the local chamber of commerce putting people back in the work force. There was paper work to be done, so I would take work home and have my daughters write my reports for me. While placing students in jobs, I found many people like myself who could not read and write. I recognized the signs all too well: the red faces, the request to take home anything that had to be written or read. My own panic told me, " You have to try again. Someone must be out there to help you learn how to read and write."
So I renewed my search. By pretending to seek help for one of my students, I found a lady who would be my miracle. Kay MacPhee tested me and, within 30 minutes, said she could teach me to read and write. We spent two to three hours a week together for five months. I quickly realized this lady knew more about how language is processed than anyone I had ever met.
Through her study of spoken language and its relationship to reading, she knew I had a weakness processing sounds which hampered reading and writing. But she had developed a program called Phonological Auditory Training which would correct the problem.
I now respect myself. I am no longer ashamed. I wasted so many years thinking I was dumb, and the hurt is so deep, it cannot be forgotten. Since learning to read and write, I take part in all aspects of community life. Every time I write a note to someone, I am reminded of how lucky I am to experience so many things. Finding help opened new doors for hundreds more like me and this is the most important thing.
Spell Read is my passion. Because of my personal understanding of how people feel when they cannot read and write, I can now help take them out of the black hole that I was in. My flight for freedom is won and I'm so delighted to give this gift of freedom to others. Kay Reeves is vice-president of Spell Read P.A.T.
