News Article

You can’t start from the roof down


12/4/2006 2:03:30 PM


CNA graduate Richard Miller has been an ambassador for literacy since learning to read several years ago. He travels to high schools and colleges to encourage students to stay in school. Here, Richard speaks on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador at a national literacy conference in Ottawa.

Richard Miller’s story is a poignant one. Until little over a decade ago, he was one of 22 per cent of Canadians who struggle through life without literacy.

His fate took a turn when his young son had a medical emergency and Richard couldn’t locate the doctor’s number in the phone book; he couldn’t read a word.

“I was so shy and ashamed… I didn’t want anybody to find out I couldn’t read,” he says.

His son nearly lost his finger, and could have lost his life. Richard decided to no longer be a victim, and began learning to read and write “from scratch.”

First, the Shoal Harbour native attended two-hour tutoring sessions that gradually lead to a night school course, and then a learning centre program. That’s when he felt ready for the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA).

“It was a lot of hard work and lots of adjustment,” Richard says.

“Having said that, ABE gives you a perfect foundation. It’s like building a house – you can’t start from the roof down, can you?”

It was at CNA’s Clarenville campus that he began to feel in control while doing ABE. And he began to believe that he could achieve a long-term goal.

“I had previously worked in the Department of Fisheries as a deck hand and doing general duties aboard barges. I wanted to gain an office position, but I never had the education to reach that level… even though I knew the job,” he says.

During the three years it took to complete his ABE studies, Richard began to realize he could go even further. His dream was to make good money working on a fishing vessel then perhaps go on to a degree in Biology. Something that had seemed so unattainable for so long was now within his grasp.

While in school his confidence grew and he became active with Clarenville campus’ student council. Richard discovered that he was a good public speaker.

“I started visiting ABE classrooms and high schools to encourage students to complete their studies,” shares Richard, “using my story to help them understand.”

I’m an example of what you can do with your life.”

In fact, Richard has travelled throughout the province many times to speak with students of all ages and from all walks of life. He’s taken it a step further and now sits on the Literacy Newfoundland and Labrador board, and is the provincial representative on the national literacy board. He has made official trips to the House of Commons – a place he never imagined he’d be.

“This is the kind of thing I wouldn’t be doing if I hadn’t gotten my education… I’ve had a chance to go to Ottawa twice representing Newfoundland and Labrador,” he shares.

“I’ve met a lot of people across the country and my name was mentioned in the House in reference to literacy. Some days I can’t believe it.”

Today, Richard is enrolled in the Marine Institute’s Bridge Watchman program. This six-month certificate training will allow him to embark on his dream. He still doesn’t rule out the Biology degree or the many other options he now has in his reach, but after all these years of study, Richard thinks he may be ready to settle down for a while.

“I’ve had to get adjusted to two lives… leaving my family in Shoal Harbour to study and then coming home and adjusting to that again,” he reveals.

“I may never go further… it’s only months down the road to a good paycheck. I feel like I just want to work at my trade after this and support my family after all the support they’ve shown me.”

Richard is now preparing for his first training session at sea – a week-long stint. He’ll be aboard a ship as part of a crew of 14: 10 students, an instructor/captain, another captain, an engineering mate and cook.

“Part of my job will be watch keep – on the wheel. There are other aspects to the training as well, like deck hand, upkeep, learning all about the weather and waves, chart work and navigation. I could be in the Gulf of Mexico this time next week! ”

He’ll be back in school for a week before Christmas break and can’t wait to get back after the holidays to prepare for a six to eight week work term in February.

“I’m really looking forward to that. I’m used to being on barges for months at a time from my old work.”

He looks back at the time he spent at sea before he knew how to read, and thanks his lucky stars he’s still here today.

“Think about it... if someone couldn’t read these labels and put fuel in the wrong tanks or hit the wrong button, the whole boat could blow in seconds – you wouldn’t even have time to get out of your bunk,” he says emphatically.

“Knowing what I know now about safety, if someone offered me $50,000 a year to work on a ship and I didn’t know how to read, I wouldn’t take it. I’d be taking my life and that of all the others on the ship into my hands.”

Skills gained from the Bridge Watchman program include communications, math, rigging, rope splicing, knot tying and more. Richard says 80 per cent of what they are learning is safety.

“It’s all so important, what we’re learning… you’ve got to have that safety background. Years ago you could get by on the buddy system or just by taking crazy chances,” he says.

“That doesn’t work today. I’d be very surprised to meet anyone on these tankers who couldn’t read.”

Age just shouldn’t be a factor to not learning, he insists. It’s never too late. The main factor is encouragement from family and instructors. That’s what worked for Richard.

“I want to thank CNA – they have highly educated staff who are able to work with you at your level,” says Miller, “and everybody was so supportive – especially my instructor Nick Donovan – he’s played a big part in my life from the beginning.”

Just as important as his desire to work, is Richard’s desire to help others. Once he is established in a new job, he plans to continue with volunteer work.

“If there’s anything related to literacy and ABE I’m there! That’s what it’s all about –giving back what you’ve gotten.”

Richard is grateful for the opportunities he now has and for the support of his wife and children. His son is now 24 and has made a life in PEI. His little girl is 11 and will have a working dad who brings home a steady paycheck and who can read her bedtime stories.

“Education has changed my life and my heart is there, it will always be there.”

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