What would you do if someone you love is illiterate?

I meet someone he is 28yrs and he cant read or write. He had a terrible childhood because his father left when he was 2yrs and his mom's boyfriend was abusive, so his mom kept him at home. We like eachother alot but sometimes he feels ashamed. On many occions he asked me if i think of him any lesser of a man. I advised him to sign up for remedial cles, but he thinks he's too old to start over. What should i do.