A Passion for Reading…
W. Ian Walker
Hamilton, ON, Canada
September 1, 2020
What was your experience learning to read?
I am W. Ian Walker, I am a passionate reader, and I am also an ADHD survivor, author, and Arts Administrator, specializing in Choral and Orchestral organizations. I own my business in Hamilton, ON, Canada. My book is titled Stirring My Soul to Sing, Overcoming ADHD Through Song (Word Alive Press, 2018).
I am W. Ian Walker, I am a passionate reader, and I am also an ADHD survivor, author, and Arts Administrator, specializing in Choral and Orchestral organizations. I own my business in Hamilton, ON, Canada. My book is titled Stirring My Soul to Sing, Overcoming ADHD Through Song (Word Alive Press, 2018).
It was 1966, I was six, and my mother would take my older sister Anne and me to the library where we could take out five picture books a week. Each night before bed, we would read these books with either our mom or dad. We would have these books for one week, return them and start all over again. My mother mostly read to us and taught us to read. I developed a passion for “reading,” thus, after kindergarten, I was put in a “reading readiness” class, and I think that I was an advanced reader. As I went through public school and would be told that “I was a hyperactive child,” later diagnosed as an adult with ADHD in 1996.
All through public school, high school, and just before college, I would work part-time in the library, as I loved to read books and would get lost in doing much research with my passions in history and the arts. If you came into my office today, I have my extensive library now (when we renovated my office, I wanted a special place for all of my books), and just a few weeks ago, I rearranged it so I could find my books at a faster pace. I also have them all listed in an Excel file I designed, so should anyone want to borrow one of them, I can provide the details and follow up with friends who borrow my books, and I am persistent in getting any of my loaned books back!
What was your experience as a parent helping your child learn to read? My daughter Christina was passionate about books like I was! We started her on a unique “alphabet book” from the UK with beautiful pictures from A-Z. Each night we would sit together, and I would read to her; I would point out these items, say their names, and move on. Eventually, Christina understood, and she would say the word of the item on the page back to me and sound out the letters of the words she was learning. Dad would mix it up a bit to see if she could pick out a picture and say the name of the image all on her own; she passed with flying colors. I was so proud of my daughter! Christina is still as passionate about books as I am, and with two small boys, I know she has her hands full. However, reading to them is a joy for her.
What is your success story?
My passion is reading, being curious, loving to learn, and experiencing everything in life; reading and learning can provide for one’s self-esteem. With my ADHD, I attempted to work on a degree in music in 1982, and it wasn’t until twenty-seven years later, in 2009, that I was going to get my degree. However, I changed my major to “Theatre and Film” at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.
My passion is reading, being curious, loving to learn, and experiencing everything in life; reading and learning can provide for one’s self-esteem. With my ADHD, I attempted to work on a degree in music in 1982, and it wasn’t until twenty-seven years later, in 2009, that I was going to get my degree. However, I changed my major to “Theatre and Film” at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.
There were many nights and years of wanting to throw in the towel, as with my ADHD. I did not always get it or study what I should have known from my notes for the tests or exams. There were many nights of reading and analyzing documents that needed to be processed to succeed and obtain that education and degree. I was so proud when my mom and dad, who always believed in me, could see me graduate and become the professional Arts Administrator, an international writer, author, and baritone soloist. I finally discovered all of the talents and skills I was created with and became who I was intended to be! Thinking back, it was such a glorious day when my wife Elaine, my closest friend and mentor Robert Cooper (Canadian Choral icon and Order of Canada member), and my parents, Bill and Doreen Walker, were all there at my convocation ceremony to see me graduate. In 2010, my mother, Doreen, passed away from cancer. I was so happy that Mom was there on my graduation day and got to see this long-time goal accomplished with flying colors!
What were your reading challenges?
I think with ADHD, sometimes I would see the words backward, but that did not happen too often, and when it did, I knew that my brain and eyes were tired, and it was time for a break. A reading challenge for me was to read everything in my library. I have almost succeeded in that goal, and I have dots on the books I haven’t read but will read in the future. I still have books on my night dresser and around my room that I want to read very soon! I feel very proud and have accomplished many things, from that young boy to a man who survived ADHD and still has a passion for reading!