Mrs. Patricia Ann Dunstan who serves on its Board of Management as vice president and treasurer. Additionally, she is the fundraising chairperson.

Twenty-five years ago Mrs. Dunstan had her first contact with The Reading Clinic where she trained as a tutor. She was motivated to become a tutor as a result of trying to understand and help her son's learning difficulties.

"I worked as a volunteer tutor at Saltus Cavendish and Bermuda High School for several years. It is a wonderful experience to play a part in helping a student develop into a confident, competent and happy adult.'' Mrs. Dunstan graduated from Bermuda High School and a holds a certificate in Christian Studies from St. John's Theological College in Nottingham, UK. She is licensed as a Diocesan Lay Reader in the Anglican Church. Also, she is accomplished in pastoral counselling studies "I find the my counselling useful in my contact with families who are experiencing the emotional and social problems associated with learning disabilities. I believe my work at The Reading Clinic is an important extension of my church ministry.'' Organisation is a key focus of Mrs. Dunstan at The Reading Clinic. She enjoys organising conferences and new programmes and the feeling that comes from being able to help someone with learning difficulties. When Mrs. Dunstan was asked about her vision for The Reading Clinic she responded: "It is important to maintain the quality of tutor training and tutoring programme (one on one) for dyslexic students and plan to see this continuing.

"We are looking forward to launching our new literacy programme in the prison system by June of 1999.'' "We need to continue educating the public about learning differences. When language problems are not addressed from an early age the risk for substance abuse, anti-social, even criminal behaviour increases.'' Mrs. Dunstan explained how ordinary citizens could help The Reading Clinic.

One of the most obvious ways to help is responding to their fundraising. About half of their students need financial assistance. All of their staff are part-time to keep costs down; all staff work far beyond what they are paid.

Currently, there is a huge need for funding to provide additional staff.

The friends of The Reading Clinic would love to have more members to assist with two annual fund raising events, a bake sale and garage sale.

"Currently we need to find people who have an educational background that would enable them to be part of a team to conduct interviews and assessments in the prison system,'' advised Mrs. Dunstan. Having a learning disability can have a crippling affect on anyone. Mrs. Dunstan has a poignant wish for our citizens.

"Be sensitive to the effects a learning disability has on a person's life.''