Man Learns To Read At 58 And Finally Reads The Magazine He Treasured For 40 Years

February 17, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Derby, England.

For most of his life, Ted Midgely couldn’t read—not even a text message. The 58-year-old, who left school at 15, relied on friends and colleagues to help him navigate a world of words.

But now, after taking lessons, he can finally read—a milestone that has brought him overwhelming joy.

58 year old man learns to read
Ted Midgely / BBC

One of Ted’s biggest achievements? Reading a copy of Speedway Star magazine that he had kept for 40 years.

“I had this for so long and I’ve never been able to read it... it was amazing to do it,” he said.

Ted, who grew up in Bradford, was diagnosed with dyslexia in school but didn’t receive the support he needed. Instead, he was sent to a special school where he struggled to fit in. Eventually, he stopped attending and went straight to work in a textile mill.

Despite his reading challenges, Ted built a career around his passion for speedway racing. He once served as a mascot for Bradford Speedway—earning him the nickname "Ted" instead of his given name, Steven. He later became a speedway mechanic, traveling the world for races, and now works for a company that makes speedway parts.

The turning point came when Ted met Australian motorcycle racer Brayden Elliot. Inspired by the opportunity to manage the young racer, Ted knew he needed to read emails to take on the role. That’s when he sought help.

With the support of Duncan Livsey from Read Easy Derby and District, Ted committed to twice-weekly reading sessions.

“Because Ted’s so positive, he’s been so easy to teach—it’s been so rewarding,” Livsey told the BBC.

Now, Ted is reading more than ever and hopes his story inspires others.

“There must be thousands of people who struggle with reading but don’t have the confidence to seek help,” Livsey added.

Ted’s journey proves it’s never too late to learn. And for him, finally reading that old Speedway Star article was more than just words on a page—it was a lifelong dream fulfilled.