It’s never too late.
This article from the Southern Illinoisian tells the inspiring story of Jerry Mezo who learned to read at age 61.
Mezo was one of ten honored in Springfield a Spotlight on Achievement award from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and David Bennett, executive director of the Illinois Press Association.
The door to literacy opened late for Herrin resident Mezo; crossing that threshold, the impossible suddenly became so very possible. “When you can’t read, you have to depend on everybody else. I was lucky to have gotten on at Maytag when I did because if I had to try to get a job like that now, I wouldn’t make it. I couldn’t fill out an application, couldn’t take the tests. I was always afraid I would get caught,” Mezo said. “But now that I can read, I’ve finally got some independence. I’ve got confidence that I never had. My life is a lot better. I don’t have to hide anymore.”
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