Ted’s Story: Learning to Read at 58
For most of his life, Ted Midgely couldn’t read.
Spelling was a lost cause—his name was the only word he ever managed to master. When he left school at 15, books and newspapers remained a mystery. But Ted never pretended otherwise. Instead, he got by with the help of friends and co-workers, relying on their kindness to read for him.
For 40 years, he held onto a copy of Speedway Star, a magazine he loved but could never read. And then, everything changed.
“I had this for so long and I’ve never been able to read it… it was amazing to do it,” he said, still in awe of his own progress.
A Tough Start
Ted’s struggle with reading began early. In his first school in Bradford, teachers dismissed him as lazy, never realizing he was dyslexic. It wasn’t until middle school that someone finally noticed. His parents were called in, and they were told he was “really suffering” with dyslexia.
Back then, the solution was to send kids like Ted to “special schools.” So that’s where he went. But the school wasn’t a good fit. It felt more like a punishment than a place of learning. Ted barely showed up. Instead, he started working in a textile mill, leaving behind the world of books and classrooms.
Over the years, he heard comments that stung. Friends would say, “You don’t look dyslexic,” as if dyslexia were something you could see. But, as Ted put it, “Those were the times.”
Speedway and a Second Chance
Speedway was Ted’s passion. It was what made him light up, what made him feel alive. He had been a mascot for Bradford Speedway, running around in a bear suit (hence the nickname Ted, though his real name is Steven). Later, he became a speedway mechanic, traveling the world to work on bikes.
But something shifted when he met Australian motorcycle racer Brayden Elliot. Ted wanted to become his manager. There was just one problem—managers need to read emails.
And that’s when Ted decided it was time.
Learning to Read at 58
Ted reached out to Read Easy Derby and District, where he was paired with Duncan Livsey. Twice a week, for 30-minute sessions, they worked together.
“He’s been brilliant,” Duncan said. “Because Ted’s so positive, he’s been so easy to teach—it’s been so rewarding.”
And Ted wasn’t alone. Duncan explained that thousands of adults in Derby, and hundreds of thousands across the country, struggle with reading. Many, like Ted, grew up believing they weren’t capable. Many never had the confidence to ask for help.
But Ted did.
The Moment of Triumph
After months of lessons, Ted picked up that old Speedway Star magazine—the one he had kept for 40 years. Slowly, carefully, he read through it.
“I was so pleased that I read it. I was buzzing,” he said.
One article in particular stood out—a column about Halifax speedway legend Kenny Carter. It had been sitting there, unread, for decades. Now, it was his.
For Ted, learning to read wasn’t just about letters and words. It was about unlocking a part of his life he had been shut out of for years. It was about proving to himself that it’s never too late.
And as he looks ahead, ready to take on his new role in speedway, one thing is clear—Ted Midgely is just getting started.