A pensioner who hid her illiteracy(文盲) her entire life has been considered as an “inspiration” after finally learning to read at 87. After keeping her secret for decades, Ursula Shepherd, 87, from Exmouth in Devon, finally decided to take matters into her own hands last autumn, and she reduced This Morning viewers to tears as she read aloud from a book on today’s show.
Ursula, who never married, was unable to fill out forms, pay bills and even vote, but can now read and plans to learn how to write letters to her brother. Ursula’s efforts mean she can now read, and she told how she eventually wants to be able to write to her brother, John. “Ursula learning to read after 87 years on This Morning is the most heart-warming thing I’ve ever seen in my existence,” said one viewer on Twitter. “The lovely lady learned to read at the age of 87, well done to her! Most people wouldn’t bother at her age,” added another.
Ursula explained to presenters Holmes and Ruth that she had been forced to rely on help from others to complete simple tasks.Ursula said, “I would sit with a girl and she was reading but I couldn’t read, so when she turned the pages I turned my page over because I didn’t understand.” Ursula left school at the age of 15 to take up a job in a factory, not knowing how to read or write.
She was accompanied on the couch by her full-time career, Lesley, who is part of Devon and Cornwall’s Shared Lives scheme and looks after Ursula. The pensioner took classes at the local education centre in Devon, and in her book she has written: “I hope I can inspire other people to read.” This lovely lady is inspirational—anything is possible.
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