HINDERLESS22........PG 8
Vol 23, No. 3 •July 2023
COMMUNITY.......PG 9/10
News You Can Use
662-643-6842
read.newsflash@gmail.com
A Success Story: Local woman shares how literacy council helped her break chains of disability By Sabrina Bates It is commonly reported that 1 in 10 people suffer from dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that hinders reading pace and comprehension. Among the 70 to 80 percent of people with poor reading skills, dyslexia is the likely cause. For one local woman, Lakethie, the struggle with dyslexia was a part of her daily life as a child. Throughout school, it was common for her to spend two hours on homework when it took her gifted brother, Robert, 30 minutes to complete. "His teachers would brag on him. I would ask my mom why I struggled, while he just flew right through his homework. She would tell me there were much better things to come for me," Lakethie recalled. "My disability held me back." "I see words backwards. I have to break it down into letters, words and then sentences," she shared. Even when Lakethie wanted to give up, her mom was steadfast in supporting her daughter. She presented Lakethie with an announcement about a group designed to help strengthen her reading skills. She signed up for free tutoring through the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council in her early 20s, which marked the beginning of her journey into independence, self-confidence and success. Lakethie was paired with Maury Sills, a volunteer tutor with the program, who has since passed away. Utilizing "Laubach's Way to Reading," the pair dug right in and Lakethie rose to the challenge. She chose "The Color Purple," a 300-plus page, chapter fiction book. Lakethie recalled a time when her mom had Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835
POSTAL PATRON
student to teacher and now volunteers as tutor with the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council. She said her tutor stuck with her, even past the sessions involving the lesson books. The pair became friends and Sills was by her side when Lakethie's mom passed. Council members said Lakethie's success story is one they strive to see. Lakethie went from obtaining her GED to completing a college degree. Now, she studies writing courses in pursuit of another degree. Her educators say she has a gift and a way with words. Between a full-time job, her studies and tutoring, Lakethie is proof that someone can break the chains of a learning disability. It took a small village of people who cared enough to walk beside her on her path. "I know people struggle. This is something you do for yourself. Independence is a good feeling and no one can take that away from you. Don't be ashamed to get help because it can change your life," Lakethie stressed. "A lot of people slip through the cracks because they have certain disabilities. But those people probably have a higher IQ than what you think. If they are just given the opportunity, they could see that they can do it," she added. Lakethie also enjoys being part of a book club in her spare time, something that her teenage self would have never considered. Now, she advocates for the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council, helping to spread the group's message and help others with potential learning disabilities. The CALC provides free tutoring for adults LaKethie Mays ages 18 and older who struggle with reading and comprehension. To learn more about the program, call coordinator Lanell Coln at 1-662-286-9759 or visit her on the second floor of the asked her if she needed any Corinth Public Library, located at 1023 N. Fillmore St. in Corinth from 1-4 p.m. on help. Her mom was moved to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The program is confidential and free of charge. tears when Lakethie told her Volunteer tutors are always welcome to sign up to help provide reading services in a one"she had it." on-one setting. Call Coln to learn how to become a volunteer for the local literacy counBy the time she was in her 30s, Lakethie had turned from cil.