THE WDS

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Newsletter May 2021

The Whole Dyslexic Society

May News

Save the month of AUGUST – get into training now  for our second, and even more successful Walk and Talk the DYS out of Dyslexia  - STEP UP !

Last year we set a goal of raising $8,000 by walking the equivalent of 8,000 kms – the distance from the west coast to the east coast of Canada.

This year we thought the only way is up !   So we’ve raised our goal to $10,000 and included a virtual auction. Registration opens July 1st.

Those of you in the Vancouver area will know about the Grouse Grind, the ultimate keep-fit challenge. It is known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster” and there are 2,830 steps.

If Sue did the Grouse Grind steps all in one go, she’d probably need airlifting off the mountain, but… she has decided to climb 2,830 steps on local trails from August 1-31, plus 5,000 steps (4kms) per day.

Photos will be taken along the way ! Some of the Board are attempting the actual Grouse Grind – even more photos! 

So the challenge is out there – how many sponsored steps or kms are you going to walk, bike, swim each day in August ? Registration details will be on the website shortly.

We need to fill the bursary fund, as we find ourselves in the second year of challenging financial times for so many people. The learning challenges are still there when the $s are scarce. 

  • Our first Online Auction – the week of August 22-28 – we have some incredible items already: Axe-Throwing, a website design….

  • Our fourth series of Podcasts – People of Passion – is in the making already and will be launched ready for August. Sue is lucky to be able to interview fellow TEDx speakers, some of the coaches and curation team, all of whom are so passionate about the work that they do. Its been a wonderful opportunity to learn a little more about them and their connections with dyslexia.

  • AND …. we are also launching a Universal Symbol for Dyslexia – did you know currently there is no universal symbol for dyslexia ? Well there isn’t, so we decided to create a positive one.

We are so grateful to Amanda Jane Green who donated her design to the Society www.jewellerajgreen.com. We have these goals:

  • To create a positive symbol before anyone else does – we avoided the usual mixing up of ‘b’s and ‘d’s to stay positive.

  • To be a physical symbol of pride in our way of thinking and learning, hopefully around the world.

  • To fundraise for our charity – full transparency - we will make about $1.00 CAN on each pin.

  • For Facilitators to give a pin to their newly ‘corrected’ dyslexic on completion of a program to add to their pride.

  • To add to the Davis profile – people may ask the wearer what is that pin for?

  • They could be seen by the student as a reminder to use their tools, and no-one else would know.

  • To have them available to anyone with dyslexia, in the broadest sense of the word, in an attempt to reverse the thinking that we are disabled in any way

  • They have a magnetic fixing, so can be a fridge magnet too !

They will be available to the public on our website shortly. Here’s a preview ! 

  • Sue’s TEDx – Dyslexia: Enable the Different Learner -  1,500 views on YouTube – May 12 !   Please keep sharing and commenting !

    Watch HERE

  • 3 Facilitators; Nadine Schumont in Canada, Jacalyn Stewart in the USA and Rachel Barwell in New Zealand formed Think Tank Marketing, to help Davis Facilitators get their message out, particularly on social media.

They sent out a challenge to Davis Facilitators around the world for 500 shares of Sue’s TEDx in the month of April – how’s that for Davis-family support ? And Sue was also privileged to be invited to speak at one of their Zoom meetings on April 10th! So grateful !

  • Sue appeared on The Quiet Warrior Podcast May 6 - Watch HERE

  • She will be interviewed on ‘Have the Conversation’ podcast - July 21 – will send out the link asap.

  • She is delighted to be speaking to Surrey Schools on September 2.

  • There is interest in our methods from a small school in North Vancouver as a result of the talk, which is VERY exciting !

WORRY:

Here are some encouraging statistics for those trying to give up worrying:

40% of what we worry about...will NEVER happen… it’s like putting a 40% deposit on a house you’ll never own.

30% of what we worry about...has ALREADY happened… so we can’t change it.

12% of what we worry about...are needless worries about our health… the 3 day headache is rarely a tumour.

10% of what we worry about...are petty, miscellaneous worries… what shall we have for dinner.

That leaves 8% for legitimate worries. 

Which means that 92% of what we worry about is TOTAL NONSENSE…and that nonsense not only keeps us from being at our best…it keeps us from actually living!

So don’t …

RESOURCES:

  • Seth’s YouTube video, What is 2e Twice Exceptional? is an interesting take on qualities that you probably see in your children. www.sethperler.com. Watch Video HERE.

  • Julie Brewer discovered that her local public library will lend out audio books if she was able to provide a letter (from Sue) to establish a learning challenge. Maybe see if your library has that same resource ?

COMMUNITY:

Family Summer Camp weekend September 17-19, 2021.

  • Sue is in touch with the YMCA at Gibsons, to find out the projected requirements and will be sending out an email to all students shortly.

Minecraft Club !  A huge thank you to Nadine Schumont for creating this opportunity !

  • Welcome New Minecraft Members - You are invited to take part in the Picture Perfect Learning Solutions [PPLS] Minecraft Club.

  • Who are we? We are picture thinkers ages 6 to 18 who have completed a Davis program and love to create things, especially Minecraft things!

  • Why we do it? We play Minecraft to give ourselves a healthy outlet for our natural ability to see in 3D and to allow this gift to grow, learn, and explore in a safe and fun environment.

  • When do we play? As a group we like to meet most Saturday Mornings, 9:30 EST, other than the 3rd week of each month. The server is open at all times, many of the members play at different times. For those living in a different time zone, you are welcome to suggest a time for your groups to meet that best suit your local time.

  • What is required? To play in the PPLS Realm you must have completed a Davis program, have your Davis facilitator and parent permission, and own the Minecraft Bedrock version.

  • Next steps: If you would like to check out our PPLS Minecraft Club, contact Nadine Schumont with the requirements above at pictureperfectlearning@gmail.com to receive your Minecraft link.

Hoping you are all having a fabulous month – getting out into the beauty that May offers us. Take care, stay well, and think about your August endeavours .

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

Our Giving Guide: 

  • Participate in our August Campaign, Walk & Talk the ‘DYS’ out of Dyslexia - Step Up & Virtual Auction. Registration opens July 1st.