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When Del Kennedy was in his early 50’s, he finally discovered that aphysical condition was behind his poor reading skills. Tests showedthat he suffered from "scotopic sensitivity syndrome," caused by anerve that affects how the brain processes what the eye sees in print.After Del received a special pair of glasses, he was able to read aline, then a paragraph. "It was the first time I've done that. It blewme away."

Now 59, Kennedy has made steady progress, jumping an entirereading level in less than five months. He was named Student of theYear by the Oklahoma Literacy Council, and has raised money so anotherstudent with the same condition he has can get the special glasses heneeds to be able to read.

"If I can help one other person, then I'll feel I've reallyaccomplished something," Kennedy said. To watch more of Del’s story, goto: www.proliteracy.org/students/profiles_new.asp