Testimonial Speech:  Jimmy Coleman

Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.

When I was in high school, I hung around with my
buddies.  All we wanted to do was have a good time.  I
was not interested in getting an education.  So my
grades in school were low.

My father said that I could get a car if I graduated. 
So, I studied day and night to bring my grades up
enough to get my diploma.

Soon after high school, I got drafted.

After I got out of the military, I realized that my
reading skills were not up to par.  But, I soon had a
family and had to work all the time.  So, there was no
time to read.

After many years passed, I became involved in the
Sunday School at my church.  It was then that it hit
me just how poor my reading was.

I didn’t understand everything I was reading.  I was
embarrassed because I could not pronounce some of the
simplest words in the scriptures.

After I became a deacon, I was asked to take the
minutes at the meetings.  I had to tell them I could
not do it because my spelling was so bad.

At work, I was having trouble passing tests to become
a certified technician.

I knew that I had to do something.

At a breakfast at my granddaughter’s school, I heard
Senator Don Cravins give a speech in which he
mentioned that he had brought the VITA program to
Opelousas.

So, I called the office in Opelousas.

My wife couldn’t believe that I was going back to
school.

At first I was embarrassed to go to school and was
afraid people would talk about me.  I didn’t want
anyone to know that as an adult I was going to VITA to
improve my reading.

NOW THNGS ARE DIFFERENT!

My reading skills have improved.  

I now read scriptures and lead prayers in Sunday
School.

I can read my mail, newspapers, and storybooks to my
grandchildren.

I took a test for a used car inspector’s license and
passed with flying colors.

My overall performance at work has gotten better.  It
doesn’t take me as long as it used to, to figure out
written instructions.  Now, I can get the customer’s
vehicle ready sooner.

I gave a speech at the Rotary Club about my
experiences at VITA.  I was surprised to see my bosses
there.  They were surprised to find out that I had
been working on improving my reading skills during my
lunch hour each day.

My son, daughter, wife and my bosses at work are happy
with me being in the VITA program.

I am grateful to VITA for allowing me to come and work
on my reading skills.






	
		
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