December 2022

Dear All,

Dear All – I hope you managed the adjustment from full on summer to full on winter, and soon the Christmas Holidays will be here !!!

MY GOAL FOR 2023 – Sue Hall

I have been taking some time to reflect and plan for 2023 and I am so excited because I have a new word; I thought I invented it, but apparently it already exists and now its’ my goal for 2023 – NeuroInclusive!  I see this word being used alongside education… so while there are neurodiverse, neurodivergent, dyslexic, dysgraphic, dyscalculic individuals and those with ADD and ADHD, plus those on the Autism spectrum, my aim is to create an education system that will include them, rather than divide and separate as it does currently.

Along the way, I realised that I am very good at perpetuating this division. I am really good at saying Davis is different, we dyslexics are the elite thinkers, we have super powers, all of which is true, but not really in line with our true purpose of being global human beings. There’s a whole industry out there supporting this division, from the educational psychologists who label, the tutors, the special ed staff, teachers and us. Some may agree that there’s a whole ‘woke’ world out there doing the same with colour, race, religion, gender, preferences, when in fact we are simply all unique human beings.

I looked up divisive… it means creating, or tending to create, division, separation, or difference.  The prefix ‘di’ means two and instantly creates a division – diversity included… and even implying that we think differently suggests there is a norm; neurotypical suggests a norm … which doesn’t exist.  I discovered a study where 20 MRIs of brains were taken and superimposed to create a standard normal brain, which sounds reasonable until you realise that this resulting, so-called neurotypical brain doesn’t actually exist.  

So stand by for NeuroInclusive Education in 2023!  Davis Learning Strategies are already there… they provide that cognitive equal opportunity from day one. Our correction programs provide the tools and exercises for those who already have the challenges but want that equality as they progress through their education; so it already exists.  Do you like that word?  Can you help us by suggesting we give a Pro D Day talk at your school, or to your School District, or suggest a local library for a free information session?  Attached is a flyer (HERE) that you could take to your school, there is always one teacher in charge of finding speakers for Pro Ds and I am sure he/she would be delighted to have some help.  The sessions can range from 1hr to 3hrs… whatever works for them.  I never charge, but always happy for travel expenses and an honorarium if that exists.

Ron has always said that people need to know there’s a problem before they will look for a solution.  So we can point out that before we choose what we learn, we need to establish how we learn, because at the moment we exclude 1/3 of the population whether primary, middle, secondary and post secondary.  Hopefully the word ‘exclude’ will evoke some attention.   I could invite them to prioritise the cognitive equal opportunity first and then the curriculum; they need to know there is no need for early intervention, segregating, labelling and accommodations.  I would invite them to investigate an inclusive education system, no more LD labels because we are all learning able. NeuroInclusivity is an achievable goal.

‘Made by Dyslexia’ got ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ into the dictionary…  I’d like to know how to get NeuroInclusive into a dictionary – ‘a way of teaching/remediating that ensures all children/adults have an equal cognitive opportunity’!  We could truthfully boast that we have the only truly  unique NeuroInclusive approach to learning.  Does anyone know how to add to a dictionary?  ‘Made by Dyslexia’ also got some major funding from Microsoft which is why they can offer free one day workshops to teachers.  These workshops are still perpetuating more of what caused the challenges in the first place, and accommodations, hence the team up with Microsoft …aaaarrrgggh!   We need a major sponsor, one with a huge dyslexic heart, rather than a financial agenda.  All this is on my 2023 wish list, so if you know of anyone who might be at all helpful/open, a corporate or government link, please let us know !

Davis Authors Around The World for the Holidays

WE’VE GONE INTERNATIONAL !  The Kakamega Project.

2 Davis Facilitators from New Zealand, Rachel Barwell and Claire Ashmore have forged a strong link with a teacher in Kenya who wants to incorporate Davis methods into his schools.  Long story short, funds raised will be coming to us, and then we will distribute them to those providing the services. Laura has researched thoroughly, all the governance of our Society, the CRA laws etc. and which banking systems we need to use.  This has been a huge task, but we are now able to function internationally. We are very excited and honoured to be part of this initiative and look forward to telling you how it is unfolding.

Nadine Schumont from Picture Perfect Learning Solutions in Stratford, Ontario is happy to announce the release of her new "Neurodiversity" T-shirts and merchandise.

She hopes that these shirts will also spark conversation and show solidarity with anyone who identifies as being neurodiverse.  Her vision is that if a person sees one, for the first time in their life, they would feel they’re not alone in their differences but a part of something they can be excited about; they would feel united with individuals and families across the globe. 

With every t-shirt sold, $5 will be donated to the Whole Dyslexic Society to use towards the many services offered and as a bonus in October every order will include a WDS Gift of Dyslexia Universal Symbol Pin. 

Click this LINK to see, and buy her exciting products.

DIRECTOR, SHARON ROBERTS has submitted an article in this month’s Dyslexia The Gift Blog. Titled, You can flip the switch ! “If you think of your brain as a power grid, there are billions of pathways or roads, lighting up every time you think, feel or do something….” Read more HERE

A 2023 SAVE THE DATE:

Once more, TJ Firenze of Firenze Financial is kind enough to offer us another free information session on the Disability Tax Credit procedure.

So save Tuesday, February 7 at 7pm  - will be Online – Visit T.J. HERE.

Follow on Facebook T.J. Firenze - DTC Expert page specific to the DTC and other relevant topics, as well as their Firenze Financial Services page.

THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

Looking back at this year, we’ve achieved a great deal of foundational work. Our social media presence is growing on Facebook and Instagram and we have our own WDS YouTube Channel, again thanks to Laura. She is taking a digital marketing course and has attended a workshop around the legal aspects of non-profits. We have applied for several grants, Disability Alliance, Vancouver Foundation, Telus, 100 Women Who Care and Loyal Protestants.  We part-funded 7 (?) teachers to attend DLS Workshops – a whole school in Saskatchewan, teachers in Victoria and Vancouver.  We published a podcast series with Sue’s TEDx colleagues. Bursaries now stand at  $107,893.00 to 10 Facilitators for 75 clients. We aim to make adjustments to our bursary application process to make it easier for both applicants and interviewers. Sadly, we fell short of our summer fundraising target. 

FUNDRAISING

Giving Tuesday may be over, but we’ve never been that good on time, any day is giving day and there are many ways you can help us:  Nadine’s clothing/merchandise, The Card Project, Donate-a-Car, Tru Earth Eco Products, Plantables, Canada Helps, and taking the Pro D Day flyer to your school.  We  created the new universal symbol for dyslexia. 

Recently, I have had some very useful conversations re fundraising.  One gentleman who has been CEO of several non-profits was full of wonderful suggestions. Next year we intend to focus on 4 areas of fundraising, the usual event and giving campaigns plus creating relationships with government and corporate individuals. I have already contacted the new Premier and my MLA.  I have been talking to a cinematographer in Los Angeles, obviously dyslexic, who has set out the steps for a visual campaign.  2023 is looking good right now !

OCTOBER – DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

Some of you may have seen the Koosh Ball Toss videos that brought Davis Facilitators from all over the world together.  We all had so much fun making our films, and again, thanks to Laura the full compilation is now on YouTube. 

SO… we all hope you have a fabulous December, that you stay warm, have some well deserved down-time and we always look forward to hearing from you !

Sue, Laura, Julie, Nadine, Sharon, Paddy, Gisa, Tristan.

Our Giving Guide: 

Picture Perfect Learning Solutions Neurodiversity Shirts & Merchandise. Nadine Schumont has create a line of shirts and merchandise celebrating neurodiversity. You can view the range of styles and the image on the back through her store. For every shirt sold Nadine is donating $5.00 to The Whole Dyslexic Society. Check out her shop page HERE.

Our $20for20 Fundraising Campaign Page with Canada Helps. Visit our donation page HERE.

Purchase our Gifted with Dyslexia Pins.  Purchase our Pins Here

TruEarth Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap and Products.  20% of all sales go to our Society.  Please follow the link to our Tru-Earth product page to purchase.  Tru-Earth Eco-Friendly Products Here

Donate a Car Canada. Looking for simple and free car removal? Donate a Car Canada accepts Vehicle Donations for The Whole Dyslexic Society. When you donate your car, truck, RV, boat, or motorcycle to The Whole Dyslexic Society through Donate A Car Canada, it will either be recycled or sold at auction (depending on its condition, age and location). Read more about Donate a Car Canada…….

See how donations can result in tax credits by reading the article below. Read More…Tax Benefits of Charitable Donations

We have Note Cards for sale at The Card Project. Visit The Card Project Here

Partial proceeds go to The WDS from sales and rentals of Ed Roman’s highly acclaimed “Red Omen” video. For more information on renting or buying Red Omen click here 

We gratefully accept donations through our Canada helps charity page. We have a variety of donor options. Thank you !

Canada Helps - General Fund 

Canada Helps Tribute - Donate in honour of or in memory of a loved one.  

Canada Helps Securities - A donation of securities or mutual funds is the most efficient way to give charitably. Since capital gains taxes don't apply, our charity receives the full fair market value when the security is sold, and you get a tax receipt which reflects your larger contribution. This allows you to give more and get more.

We are a registered charity with the PayPal Giving Fund. You can donate to our organization using your PayPal account with no fees. Thank you ! PayPal Giving Fund