Written By Christy Johnson
School was always difficult for Bob Dyer because he never learned to read. As early as second grade, the silent shame began as Bob did everything he could to hide his secret. “I was the perfect con kid and the best cheater in school,” admits Bob.
Outside the classroom, Bob faced more challenges on the playground. He got into a lot of fights because kids called him stupid. “Things like that carve your life,” says Bob. And the trouble didn’t end at school.
Once physically thrown out of church training at Olivet Baptist Church because he refused to take an assigned role in a play, Bob explains the plight of so many with illiteracy, “I couldn’t just come out and say I couldn’t read. It was easier to fight, take an F or refuse to cooperate.”
When Bob entered junior high and high school, cheating became more of a challenge. “I flunked a lot of tests because I couldn’t read the questions,” says Bob.Even non test-days were a huge stressor. When teachers would ask students to read out loud, Bob’s throat immediately clammed up. He was horrified that he might be called on to read.
Bob managed to graduate from high school. His dream was to be a draftsman and design buildings. With high hopes, Bob enrolled in college at Central State University, but it wasn’t long before he realized he couldn’t keep up the charade. Bob dropped out after his first semester.
Without reading skills and a good education, options for a career were limited. Bob went to work at Norick’s, a local print shop. Even as a tradesman, however, Bob’s illiteracy created a constant struggle. When customers asked him to proof print copy, he had to defer and make excuses. Likewise, at church, when asked to read scripture, Bob used a variety of cover ups to avoid embarrassment.
Until one day in 1973, God challenged Bob to start reading his Bible. “I reminded God that I couldn’t read,” explains Bob, “but apparently, illiteracy isn’t in God’s vocabulary.”“I can’t explain it rationally, but the first time I picked up a Bible, the words began to flow. God opened my eyes and my understanding.” The more Bob read his Bible, God began dealing with him about other issues. “I never realized how bitter I was that I couldn’t read and how angry I was that nobody ever noticed, especially my mother. I didn’t understand how she could let this happen.”As Bob released his bitterness, God began to supernaturally open doors in his career. Over the last 30 years, Bob has prospered in a career in sales. Today, he’s employed with Bradford Supply Wholesale. Last month Bob received the largest commission check in the history of the company.“Only God could bring me to this place,” says Bob. “Not only did He help me learn to read, He helped learn to succeed.”
When Bob heard about the Whiz Kids program through Olivet Baptist Church three years ago, he knew he had to tutor. “I want to help second graders who can’t read because that’s where I used to be. No child should have to endure the anger and misery I faced. If I can help a child avoid that pain—that’s where my heart’s going.”
“Sometimes it’s a challenge to get here every Tuesday night, but I remember the shame I felt as a child. Every time I go home after Whiz Kids, I feel blessed because I don’t remember anyone doing that for me.”
Bob and his wife Elzene currently tutor every Tuesday evening at Olivet Baptist Church.
A special thank you goes out to Christy Johnson for sharing Bob's inspiring story.
Posted on
Wed, November 17, 2010
by Shannon Davis
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