Joel Rosenau taught English for most of his life.

Now he害羞草研究所檚 learning how to read it again - with a lot of help from the game show, Jeopardy!

The retired teacher suffered a series of strokes in September of 2019, and as a result, lost the ability to read.

But he has turned his favourite game show into a learning tool.

He uses the game clues that are shown on the television screen as reading material. He pauses his recording, works through the clue, then plays it to hear the show害羞草研究所檚 host, Alex Trebek, reading it.

It can take Rosenau quite a long time to work through a single clue. But he is determined.

害羞草研究所淚 put myself through levels. When I started this [six weeks ago], I was at a kindergarten level,害羞草研究所� said the 76-year-old. 害羞草研究所淣ow I am up somewhere in Grade 1. I am just getting started in the English language again.害羞草研究所�

Rosenau害羞草研究所檚 teaching career spanned nearly 40 years, the most of it in a couple of school districts on Vancouver Island.

The irony of the situation is not lost on Joel. For years, he was teaching children how to read. Now he has to use those same tools to teach himself the same skill.

害羞草研究所淚 know how hard it is for children to learn to read,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淣ow, when I apply the rules I used to teach them, when I apply those rules to myself, it makes everything that much more meaningful.害羞草研究所�

Joel said he still has the ability to spell 害羞草研究所� he can write down notes, but can害羞草研究所檛 often read what he writes.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 frustrating at times, but I consider it an occupation 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 a way to pass the time.害羞草研究所�

Joel said this training method is something that works for him, but is not suggesting it is a cure for the condition.

害羞草研究所淗opefully, this story will inspire people, but not mislead them into thinking this is a magical cure, because it is not a magical cure,害羞草研究所� said Joel. 害羞草研究所�Jeopardy is a fun thing to do, but you don害羞草研究所檛 learn how to read 害羞草研究所� or how to do anything 害羞草研究所� without an awful lot of work.害羞草研究所�

Joel害羞草研究所檚 wife, Yvonne said she害羞草研究所檚 grateful for the support from the community immediately following his stroke.

And now, she害羞草研究所檚 grateful to a well-known Canadian for helping with the teaching.

害羞草研究所淭hank you, Alex Trebek,害羞草研究所� she said.

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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