Kay’s story finally gets told

A SOUTHSIDE woman’s struggle with literacy has been documented in an RTE TV series.

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‘A story with me in it’, the show provided viewers with a glimpse into the life of Kay Mooney, from Tallaght, who was sent to Goldenbridge Convent as a baby because her mother contracted TB and could not look after her.

In the programme, Kay was teamed up with promising young author, Belinda McKeon.

Kay was tasked with the goal of creating her own piece of writing about life growing up in Dublin.

Having listened to Kay’s story, Belinda assisted in putting her memories down on paper.

According to Kay, despite being in school for 10 years, she is still not able to read, spell or write.

“To this day I can’t understand how I left school after 10 years not being able to read, spell or write,

? she reflected.

“The nuns were good to us, giving us food, clothes, and dressing us for communion and confirmation.

“You came out of school and were expected to follow the path of your mother. You were going to have loads of kids and get married. You weren’t going to do much with your life.

“But it was always a fire in my belly that I was going to rear my kids, give them the best education I could, and prove to them before I died that I was capable of being educated, and capable of reading and writing. It was just the circumstances of where we lived, the poverty that we lived in that stopped me.

?

In an attempt to work on her literacy problems, Kay attended a number of adult education classes in Tallaght.

She said she has made great advances in her ability to read and write and has encouraged anyone in the same situation to return to education.

“The fact that I can put that pen to paper means I won’t be stopping,

? Kay added.

Belinda, who encouraged Kay with her writing during the documentary, explained how Kay improved greatly during their time together.

“She’s taken to writing like a duck to water,

? Belinda said.

“Kay told me how hard she has worked in life at every job she’s done. And it’s exactly the same with writing her own story – she just gets straight down to it and does it.

?

The purpose of the documentary is to highlight issues surrounding adult illiteracy.

According to the National Adult Literacy Agency, one in four adults in Ireland have difficulties with basic reading and writing skills.

The agency said it was important to dispel the stigma associated with literacy and promote adult education.