Newsletter December 2022

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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 

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Newsletter October 2022

October 2022

Dear Everyone,

Dear Everyone… wow… we got the warm summer days we desperately needed, and some of us are enjoying slightly chilly mornings followed by lovely warm afternoons! We hope you all had fabulous summer holidays and have managed a smooth transition into the school routine. We have lots of news for you….

OCTOBER IS DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH… and we Davis Facilitators are hoping to make an impression/improve awareness worldwide.

• We are creating The Davis Worldwide Koosh Ball Toss !!! Do you remember those Tik Tok or FB films that appeared during CoVid to help us feel connected ? Well, Facilitators and their students are creating one with Koosh balls. We’d love you to join us! Visit our instruction page HERE.

• As ever we hope you will be part of our PINS becoming the universal symbol for dyslexia as they are a positive reminder of our Gift of Dyslexia.

They can start a conversation towards everyone is learning able… some children just don’t learn the way they are taught. Send friends, family teachers to this page  HERE.  

• 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.

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OUTREACH

• As Sue has moved to Vancouver Island, she has started free – in person – information talks – such a treat to see real people !

• Following on from her TEDx talk, Sue is taking a TED Ed Masterclass, with a view to lessons going out on the TED Ed site.

• Tristan is gathering speakers for a new round of Podcasts – all suggestions welcome ! Sue is hoping for Joe Rogan (ADD) and Russell Brand

• If anyone would like a Pro D Presentation at their school – please just drop us a line – in person or on Zoom, no problem.

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COMMUNITY.. we are delighted to say that we now have a significant connections with:

• Daily Wonder HomeLearning program. Sue was interviewed by Jennifer on Instagram. The link is HERE but be warned, her film quality is very blurry...not sure why !

The message is clear enough.  Sue is offering a free interview/assessment to their members, and in return they are offering one free homeschooling unit to anyone who is referred by us.

SO if anyone is contemplating homeschooling and would like to see what is out there and might have a leaning towards Waldorf education, let Sue know. Contact Sue HERE. Visit Daily Wonder Homelearning HERE.

• The Industry Trades Association has been funding Davis Dyslexia Correction programs over the past couple of years and now they want us to be part of a conversation about how best to support those with learning differences, including those on the Autism Spectrum… very exciting !

• Sue has given 3 presentations to The Pathfinder Youth Centre Society. Each time there are more than a dozen young people who are the best audience ever!

School has not been their best experience and for them, it is such a relief to find out that there is nothing wrong with them, it was just the system than let them down.

We need more bursary money to be able to help them !!!  Here is a LINK to an email Sue received, and we have permission to include this in the ‘need’ section of our Grant Applications..

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FUNDRAISING

• As mentioned, Sue and Laura have submitted grant applications to the Vancouver Foundation, Telus and the Disability Alliance.

As part of this onerous task, Laura created this fantastic bar graph which shows that since 2003 we have received $104,650.00 for bursaries and issued $104,643.00.

This is a terrific record as our administrative costs have always come out of our general funds rather than the actual bursary fund…this is quite rare in the non-profit world!

• So please encourage your friends/families/colleagues to help us through a ‘bursary money dry patch’ at the moment… our $20 for 20 years is open for the rest of this year. Visit our $20 for 20 page HERE.

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SUMMER FUN

• Nadine's Picture Perfect Learning Solutions offered its first-ever overnight camp this August! Parents, campers, and a few siblings headed up to Camp Klahanie in Goderich for a weekend filled with fun and games. The kids had a blast with the pinata, kickball ice cream, time at the beach, campfires, music, an outdoor movie, and of course our scavenger hunt! This event was open to anyone ages who had taken a program with Nadine through PPLS and siblings were invited as well to join in the fun. We are looking forward to making this event an annual one and can't wait to see what new things are in store for next summer's camp. See photos here

• Sue is hoping to get Camp Elphinstone off the ground in 2023.. finally !

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ADMINISTRATION

Laura, our intrepid Administrator, despite challenges this summer that would have knocked out the faint hearted, is excited to be attending several workshops from which we will benefit:

• Digital Marketing Bootcamp

• Blumberg Charity Law Institute conference, October 3rd

• Small Charities Masterclass with Canada Helps

She is investigating:

• SFU certificate program for non-profit Administrators

• Imagine Canada who provide Charity Accreditation. We would work with coaches throughout the application process. It is cost prohibitive at the moment (costs to get accredited and then a yearly 500.00 fee).

The accredited charities are organizations like Autism Canada, Unicef, YMCA, etc. They work with us in 5 key areas: Board Governance, Financial accountability and transparency, Fundraising, Staff Management, Volunteer involvement. 

• West Vancouver Foundation’s Thriving Non Profits. There is funding support through WVF as the program is $1000.00. It would help us investigate and develop multiple revenue streams.

It consists of Online, Peer Learning and there is a coach for our organization. 

She has met with Foundation Search and Grants Advance.  We are so blessed to have her skills, creativity and dedication working for us.

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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.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL – your Board – Sue, Laura, Paddy, Nadine, Sharon, Julie, Gisa, Tristan

Our Giving Guide: 

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

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 

Photo Credits: Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash, Photo by Scott Goodwill on Unsplash, Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash, Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

Newsletter August 2022

August 2022

Dear All,

It’s that time again…this year’s fundraising campaign is based on $20 for our 20 years. Simplest plan… please donate any multiple of $20 here…

To add fun to the $20 we offer some suggestions to go with your summer holidays or back to school activities HERE…

Let’s make this a bumper year… $20,000 would be a fabulous goal to achieve!

Thank you !

And WHY… WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO… ? This is Why….

“A is graduating this month from High School.... She has found that she has a very scientific brain and has her highest makes and school success in classes such as AP Biology, Environmental Science, and Psychology. She made the choice to take extra math classes through grade 11 and 12 working her way through the workplace programs, and the foundations programs. She has experienced top marks in the class for a few presentations and projects for the first time, and it has given her so much confidence. Last summer she was a tour guide at our little local museum, delivering a strict speech and answering questions. They have asked her back for a more senior position this season. She is off to Central America this fall/winter for travel, and mainly for the ocean and swimming. Her passions include ocean clean up and she going to get involved in beach and coastal clean up. Getting the plastic out of the ocean. She has been accepted to UVic and Camoson College and plans to attend after gap year.”

“On and on I could go, but we want you to know how much your program helped our family all those years ago. Every little skill we learn, and each new approach offers some insight and help. I’ve sure noticed as my kids have matured through the senior levels of high school and how a lot about their education and dyslexia falls into place. It’s less about the reading and writing, and much more about their wonderful skill set of being adaptive and creative and patient and thoughtful. Funny little things they’ve noticed like they never get lost, they always know where they park the car in the city, where as their friends don’t! The kids are both great with money and saving.”

Thank you again ...their Mom

“E returned from his third year of Apprentice Electrical school this spring and is back on the tools. He is one of only two electricians at his level with his company that passed 3rd year school. He works hard and values his education. He now drives a company fleet vehicle, and is starting to train first year apprentices on some job sites, while still developing his own skills and education on bigger more complex homes and buildings.”

From Sue Jutson, Davis Facilitator in Vancouver: Bobby received a bursary from WDS late last year and he went on to do a Reading program with me.  Once he completed it he enrolled at VCC in 2 English classes.  Although depression was a constant for him through the winter especially he remained dedicated and still got A’s in both classes.  So now he has officially graduated from high school, and is starting to believe in what he is capable of - good story, right?But there is more - With this new found confidence and belief in himself he applied to Langara’s theatre program “Studio 58” (theatre is his dream).  This involved an audition for which he was very nervous.  Normally it takes 2 to 3 auditions and applications to be accepted, Bobby was accepted with his first try!  He is now gardening his way (my garden just gets better and better) to an ADHD program so he can manage his life and those important “Life Concepts" in a more regulated way.  Good story continues, right?To add to that….He also received help from the tax expert WDS mentioned to him during his interview AND he got organized with their help, and received some back issued tax credit funding - he bought himself a computer (was using the library ones for his time at VCC), a printer, a  bike, and paid off his debts.  As you can imagine he feels excited about his future.  His confidence in his own abilities has really improved… This brings us to May; there will be more to come, of that I’m sure :)

The tax expert mentioned is T.J.Firenze tj@firenzefinancial.ca, 604.312.8642, who donates her services.

INTERESTING READING:

Dr James Davies, Oxon – author of Psychiatry and Big Pharma: Exposed

Watch HERE

Very long…but fascinating in an eye-opening way.  His voice is an easy listen in an Eddie Redmayne way.

In 2013 dyslexia was added to The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health) and it baffled me… its not a mental disorder…we all know its the result of a natural ability to alter perception in response to confusion and our education system.  Anyway… its in there.  Have you noticed an explosion of mental health issues, this might be why - Dr. Davies says many of the so-called mental disorders are normal, painful experiences.  

SUPERIOR RACE CONFIRMED: Dyslexia isn't a disorder, it's essential to how our species adapt, say researchers….read more HERE,

DEVELOPMENTAL DYSLEXIA ESSENTIAL TO HUMAN ADAPTIVE SUCCESS…read more HERE.

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PREVENTION

While we continue to support teachers out there (Wildflower School, Nelson BC, Prairie Christian Academy, Saskatoon, Montessori schools in Victoria, BC) using Davis Learning Strategies with their children, there have been two very exciting developments.

• Cala Dyck, a newly qualified Facilitator in Vancouver, has been working at Southlands School which is a very wonderful ‘outdoor/riding’ initiative. We were able to help fund 3 of their teachers to attend a DLS Workshop and now they are all ready to take their new skills into the new school year.

• Two New Zealand Facilitators have made a connection with a Math teacher in Kenya. They are planning to make the Why Ty series available to tutors and parents and have asked for our help in doing so. We are extremely excited to be part of this very worthwhile project. We honestly didn’t know that we are able to contribute worldwide, but we are, so we look forward to our broader horizons!

COMMUNITY - SUMMER TIPS

Sharon Roberts (Board Director, Ontario) has shared some tips from her summer newsletters:

• Lots of Physical Exercise: We know that exercise boosts memory and thinking skills, but now, researchers have shown for the first time that physical activity can increase the size of children’s brains and improve academic performance. Wahoo !

• Get Out in Nature: Spending time in nature can act as a balm for our busy brains. University of Chicago psychologist Marc Berman, PhD, and his student Kathryn Schertz reported, that green spaces near schools promote cognitive development in children and green views near children’s homes promote self-control behavior. Experiments have found that being exposed to natural environments improves working memory, cognitive flexibility and attentional control, while exposure to urban environments is linked to attention deficits (Current Directions in Psychological Science, Vol. 28, No. 5, 2019). No Nature Deficit Disorder for us !

• Sleep: Healthy sleep is absolutely essential to a brain healthy life. Sleep rejuvenates all the cells in your body, gives brain cells a chance to repair themselves, helps wash away toxins that build up during the day, and activates neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate due to inactivity. My favourite !

• Food: You guessed it.. avoid sugar and processed foods ( as they often have hidden sugars). Sugar has a long-term effect on learning. A comprehensive study at UCLA showed that …..because of the numerous effects sugar has on brain pathways and neurotransmitters, the scientists in the study concluded that sugar “over the long term alters your brain's ability to learn and remember information.” It is recommended that 7 to 10 year old get no more than 24 g of sugar; 11 years to adults no more than 30 g (7 sugar cubes) There are 39 grams of sugar in one 12 oz can of Coke and 21 grams of sugar in 1 cup of orange juice.

• Water. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academics has the following recommendation for kids:
  Children 1-3 yrs: 4 cups per day
  Boys and girls 4-8 yrs: 5 cups per day
  Girls 9-13 yrs: 7 cups per day
  Boys 9-13 yrs: 8 cups per day
  Girls 14-18 yrs: 8 cups per day
  Boys 14-18 yrs: 11 cups per day

All really easy right ?

TUITION EXPENSES - TAX BENEFITS FOR SELF EMPLOYED AND BUSINESS OWNERS. Below is a communication from our friends at Firenze Financial. They have provided our families with help for the Disability Tax Credit application process. Here is a tip regarding tuition expenses and childcare expenses. Contact Firenze HERE.

“As we approach the end of the summer, our focus returns to the upcoming school year.  Therefore, I invite you to consider a few ways that eligible tuition payments can be converted into a valuable taxable benefit for you and your family.

For many business owners and self-employed individuals, this could drastically reduce your family’s yearly expenses.  The financial future is becoming increasingly uncertain; as inflation and debt continue to pressure us all, our family’s future has never been more critical.

Registering your business with a no-cost Health Spending Account with Firenze Financial Services Inc. is one way to save thousands of dollars each year on essential and everyday expenses.

·  Elective and therapeutic procedures.

·  Costs not covered by your extended health plan.

·  Additional eligible expenses such as other childcare expenses, including tuition. And much more.

You must be registered before any expenses can be eligible for these deductions – so do not hesitate. Please get in touch with us today, and we can walk you through the easy set-up.”

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Wishing you a beautiful late Summer !

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

Our Giving Guide: 

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

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 

Photo Credits: Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash, Photo by Scott Goodwill on Unsplash, Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash, Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

Newsletter May 2022

May 2022

Dear All … short Newsletter… lots of news!

In April we basked in our glory, and took the time to plan our 2022 major fundraising effort to celebrate our 20th year.

In May – we are getting ready for this year’s fundraiser - $20 for 20.  We are sending out 20+ quotes/testimonials validating what we do and why we do it.

During June/July/August – we launch the $20 for 20 challenges and an Ontario invitation to visit Europe without leaving the province! AND for the month of June, Canada Helps will enter us into a competition to win $20,000 !!! - every dollar donated to our Charity during their Great Canadian Giving Challenge will give us an entry….read more.

20 Challenges for June-August: Below are a few of the challenges we are contemplating - if you can think of some brilliant challenges – please let us know asap – you have such great imaginations!

Maybe even better, create a dyslexic TikTok dance/challenge that goes viral ??? 

• Walking 20 minutes for 20 days straight

• Surviving 20 days without chocolate challenge (that one’s for me!)

• Cycling 20 kms 20 times

• Go 20 days without any electronic games! (parents might pay more for that!)

• Read 20 books June/July/August

20 Quotes – Where Dyslexia Minds go! We are collecting some priceless quotes – here are a few examples – please do send us some more – they are too good not to repeat !

• “why do they call it the second hand, when in fact it’s the third hand?” SOOO logical…!

• Also when learning to tell time, I said “the little hand tells us the hours and the big hand tells us the minutes…” my client says “no, it’s the other way around… the hour hand is fatter than the minute hand” so now I say “the short fat hand tells us the hours and the tall skinny hand tells us the minutes. NEVER make assumptions!

• A client with a goal of being able to read better, asked me to read one page, and him one page…I replied “no chance… who are we doing this for? I can read.. .” to which he replied “you can never be too good at anything.” LOVE it…!

We are deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Joe Wozny who was our Chair for several years up to 2012.

He was our voice of reason on the Board; he never minded meeting me at Tim Horton’s to discuss the bigger picture and how to get there.  Some of you may remember our Caesar’s Palace Casino Night ? It was a spectacular fundraiser and Joe made sure his band was dressed Vegas style and got us all up and dancing. He led the way whether at work or on the ski hill and I have a feeling he will continue to do so… thank you Joe for all your humour, expertise and generosity, we miss you!

Davis Learning Strategies for K-3 classroom teachers, and homeschoolers are prominent in our goals. 

June 6/7 Online, June 9/10 in person in Texas, and possibly one more in August, online.

We are delighted to see that more and more schools are becoming interested. 

• A school in Nelson has been using these strategies for over a year now;

• a teacher from an elementary Montessori School in Victoria took a recent workshop;

• a school in Saskatchewan sent all the teachers, EAs and admin staff which is beyond wonderful;

• Julie has enjoyed using the strategies with her pre-school Montessori students and

we now have schools in Ontario and BC interested in taking future workshops.  We are noticing that the best results appear to result from a whole school adopting these changes… here’s to many more fabulously open educators!

Youth Philanthropy Initiative: Some of you may be familiar with this ?  High School students are encouraged to pick a charity, gather information about what the do and present this information to their class.

The winners go through to a final and the winners of the final are awarded $1,000.00.  You can imagine we were delighted to hear from three young men who attend Heritage Woods Secondary School, Port Moody.

Here is the link to their script… we find it very useful to see their ‘spin’ on the work that we do.  We are very lucky to have these young men in our world… enjoy !

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Wishing you a beautiful spring !

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

Our Giving Guide: 

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

Purchase our Gifted with Dyslexia Pins.  Purchase our Pins Here

Plantables.ca Garden Ready Plants & Kits shipped to your door. Ontario & Quebec only. We receive 10% of every sale. Please follow the link to our Plantables information page.
Plantables Garden Ready Plants 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

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 

Photo Credits: Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash, Photo by Scott Goodwill on Unsplash, Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash, Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

Newsletter Birthday Edition ! April 2022

April 2022

Photo by Deva Williamson on Unsplash

The Whole Dyslexic Society’s 20th Birthday, April 2022!

Sometimes you can be forgiven for looking back and allowing yourself the luxury of wallowing in your achievements, and our 20th birthday is just such an opportunity.  For the month of April, we’ve decided to ‘bask’ in a glow that has taken 20 years of volunteer effort.  Then it’s onward and upward as we enter a new, blessed phase, where we will benefit from the funding for our part-time administrator who has already been keeping us afloat over the past few years.  I cannot thank all those involved enough for helping to create this magnificent list of achievements; we hope you enjoy!

HISTORY 

Milton Wong

Ian Tostensen

Helen Balabos

Sue Hall founded the Society in 2002, having seen a need to bring some CLARITY into the world of so-called learning disabilities.  She felt that parents who are introduced to the word 'dyslexia’ face many different options and much confusion.  She realised that many families needed FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE for Davis programs. As the Society progressed it became clear that PREVENTING THE CHALLENGES from arising in the first place was essential, as well as having a strong sense of COMMUNITY for like-minded individuals. There’s our four objectives!

A group of parents met one evening, and Brenda Pulvermacher suggested Sue contact Milton Wong, who was well known in Vancouver as a philanthropist who celebrated diversity.  Sue went to see him with a copy of The Gift of Dyslexia by Ron Davis, meaning it to be a gift. He insisted he give her $20 for it and she pinned it onto her noticeboard saying to herself that was just the start. Indeed it was; he donated $10,000 and his ‘charity person’ John McCulloch, who became our first Chair.  Sue managed to persuade Ian Tostensen (now Chair of the BC Restaurant Association) and Helen Babalos, a restauranteur to become the first Directors alongside herself. 

CLARITY

To start the ball rolling, Sue hosted Ron Davis, author of the Gift of Dyslexia, The Gift of Learning and founder of the Davis Dyslexia Association International, three times!  Once at Robson Square Conference Centre in 2000, the SFU in 2003 and UBC in 2008.  Sue Jutson, a Davis Facilitator hosted him in 2009 and 2011. 

The Society has provided numerous free information sessions in public libraries, Indigo Chapters, PAC meetings, the Gifted Children’s Association, the Capilano Speaker’s Series, the BC Homeschooling Conference, the Edmonton Learning Disabilities Conference, the North Western Christian School Association, the Learning Assistance Teachers Association of Vancouver, Arts Umbrella, the Vancouver Waldorf School, the Island Discovery Learning Community, the Vancouver School Board, Maple Ridge Literacy Group, North Vancouver School District Pro D, North Vancouver SEAs Pro D, Decoda Conference, Cortes Folk U, Burnaby School District Pro D, Sacred Heart Catholic School, St Anthony’s Catholic School, University of Victoria, West Vancouver Secondary Schools SEAs, Bowen Island Community School, St Michaels Catholic School, White Rock Christian Academy, Hycroft, Nanaimo Library, IERG Conference UBC, Edutalks, Montessori Schools in Victoria, Institute for Challenging Organisation, Industry Trades Association, Child and Youthcare Action Conference, Spotlight on Dyslexia, Shift Your Thinking, the Pathfinder Society… and Sue’s pride and joy… Tedx BearCreekPark, March 2021.

The overwhelming reaction from the teachers attending these sessions has been “I had absolutely no idea that people thought like that.”

In the media, the WDS has featured on the Bill Good Show, Global TV, CKNW Telethon, CTV’s Morning Show and Have the Conversation and The Quiet Warrior podcasts.  The WDS has had articles in the Vancouver Sun, the Globe and Mail, the North Shore News, Burnaby Now and The Times Colonist.

PREVENTION

She has hosted training sessions presented by DDAI, one Fundamentals Workshop, 6 Davis Learning Strategies Workshops, one Motivation and Responsibility Workshop.  

Sue was overjoyed to receive $10,000 from 100 Women Who Care to be able to support schools and attendees using these strategies.

BURSARIES

Our fundraising efforts have included 3 major events:

A live auction at Simon Fraser University,

a red carpet event at Grouse Mountain with Ron Davis as the guest of honour and

a Caesar’s Palace Casino Night in West Vancouver. 

We have had a Car Wash, collection cans at BC Liquor Stores, been part of the Husky Reward card, the Card Project and recently our Gifted with Dyslexia magnetic pins. 

Several organisations have donated to us over the years, the Loyal Protestant Association, the North Shore Community Foundation, and way more applications have been made. 

Several creative individuals have donated their talents to us: Ed Roman, Don McLeod, Amanda Green, Denny Wong and Nicholas Joe for our first websites, Marcell Warnes for our Card Project.  Many more have donated their time and efforts into make our fundraisers huge successes, both financially, socially and improving our outreach.  See our www.thewds.org/gratitude page.

Our Covid fundraising has been extremely successful with our Walk and Talk in 2020 raising $8,000 and our Step Up raising $13,000 in 2021 and this year we are beyond grateful to receive a significant donation from a private foundation towards our administration.

COMMUNITY

This is possibly Sue’s favourite objective – bringing like-minded parents and children together in fun activities. First of all there was a week long day camp in West Vancouver, then a house on Bowen Island was rented for a week long camp. After that we went to Camp Bow-Isle, we went to Camp Jubilee twice, Camp Elphinstone twice and Camp Latona.  Various day activities have included: llama trekking, kayaking, snow showing and shelter building, claymation filming, high ropes, low ropes, rappelling, swimming, team building, archery, a drum circle, canoeing, sky diving (in a wind tunnel) at Flyzone, going to Giants games, wide games, zip lining, board games at Nognz, an Odyssey of the Mind challenge, a Salts experience, horseriding, campfires, a biodynamic farm and lots of Gaga ball !  The children decided to call themselves ‘The Fellowship of the Gift’.

DIRECTORS

Over the years we thank those who took the time to be Directors: Ian Tostensen, Helen Babalos, John McCulloch, Bruce Shore, Clinton Pazdzierski, Adrian Boston, Donna Doerksen, Sue Jutson, Carolyn Van Meenan, the late Carole Ford, Julie Brewer, Paddy Carson, Tristan MacDonald, Guy Murphy, Gisa Straith, Laura O’Neill, George Hall, Joe Wozny, Anne Haegert, Jenn Prowse, Natrisha Sagris, Rita Schmidt, Tyler Norton, Liz Vela, Denny Wong, Jay Fisher, Susan Manz, Nadine Matishak, Carole Taljeh, Judy Larocque, Cassidy Engleby, Jason Friesen.

I wonder where we’ll be in another 20 years?  Our greatest hope for is the Davis Learning Strategies are widely used in our education system, to avoid the current labelling, segregation and loss of self-esteem for our wonderfully bright, creative, charming, wise little individuals… thank you for all your support and healing beams of energy! 

If you are already impressed, you are welcome to start the ball rolling with our $20 (or multiples thereof) for 20 year donation campaign (www.thewds.org/donate); and we look forward to you joining us for a fun, creative, out of the box 2022 !

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

Our Giving Guide: 

Purchase our Gifted with Dyslexia Pins.  Purchase our Pins Here

Plantables.ca Garden Ready Plants & Kits shipped to your door. Ontario & Quebec only. We receive 10% of every sale. Please follow the link to our Plantables information page.
Plantables Garden Ready Plants 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

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 

Newsletter February 2022

February News

Photo by Chandan Chaurasia on Unsplash

What an amazing year it is already… and its still only mid February !

We have some incredible news…we set ourselves a goal this year to raise $25,000 for our administration costs.

It is extremely difficult to find a sponsor/grant that will fund administration and it is our wonderful administration that keeps us going.

So... in order to become more effective we sent out 6 emails on Jan 31st.  5 days later we were staggered to receive $25,000 from a private foundation for our administration. There isn’t a word that I have discovered that goes beyond grateful which would express how we feel. We are continuing our search for sponsorship and can now widen our ‘ask’ to include funds for bursaries and Davis Learning Strategies (DLS) promotion.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

What an amazing year !

• Julie and Sue gave a presentation on DLS to 16 Montessori teachers, two of whom have signed up for the next DLS Workshop.

• Nadine and Sue are taking Richard Whitehead’s training to present his Why Ty Course which supports parents as they help their children with homework and school in general. This course is open to parents of children who struggle, whether they have a label or not, whether they have taken a program or not because True Knowledge is Experiential and we all want to be the best equipped parents we can be.

• The school in Saskatchewan that we were able to help financially sent all the staff to the previous DLS Workshop, admin, teachers and LAC. We are hoping to be of more use to them.

• Sue’s book, Fish Don’t Climb Trees, is now out in an Audio version.

NEW Why Ty Parent’s

• Free Why Ty for teachers and parents; designed to inform re: the challenges and the solutions. Check out the free course HERE.

• Sue Hall, Sharon Roberts and Nadine Schumont will soon be able to provide a Why Ty 6 week course; designed for parents to help visual learners with their homework. To read more about this course for parents visit HERE. If you would like to book a session with Sue, Sharon or Nadine please contact us at info@thewds.org.

What an amazing year we can look forward to!

Thanks to this staggering generosity, we now feel we can promote our Gifted with Dyslexia pins as a Universal Symbol, we can launch our WDS 20th birthday celebration in April… $20 for 20 years, we can produce more podcasts, we might even be able to arrange physical community gatherings for our like-minded children soon… what an amazing year !  If you have goals for us, please let us know ! We’re in this together and our collective energy is bringing about these incredible results! ~~~~~THANK YOU.

Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash

Our Giving Guide: 

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

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 

Newsletter January 2022

January News

Let's get January off to a great start ! 

THE WHOLE DYSLEXIC SOCIETY achieved Charitable Status 20 years ago this April…

SO we are making 2022 A $20 FOR 20 YEAR. Watch this space www.thewds.org for details.

Our Universal Symbol for Dyslexia took off in 2021 and we hope for your continued efforts to help us go viral/global… whatever it takes to show we are proud of our learning style ! There are free downloadable Gifted with Dyslexia digital stickers you can attach to any appropriate material, use as a reminder to use your tools etc. Download them HERE.

Davis Learning Strategies, www.thewds.org has all the details to get your teachers interested

• Julie Brewer, Sharon and Sue made a welcoming video. Check it out HERE.

• Julie and Sue are working on a DLS promotion webinar for teachers. If you would like to book an info session please contact us at info@thewds.org.

NEW

• Free Why Ty for teachers and parents; designed to inform re: the challenges and the solutions. Check out the free course HERE.

• Sue Hall, Sharon Roberts and Nadine Schumont will soon be able to provide a Why Ty 6 week course; designed for parents to help visual learners with their homework. To read more about this course for parents visit HERE. If you would like to book a session with Sue, Sharon or Nadine please contact us at info@thewds.org.

HELP ?

• We are setting our WDS goal this year for a major sponsor… if you have any contacts please do let us know. It’s never what you know, its always who you know, and someone who is dyslexic or has a dyslexic family member is a perfect partner for us.

FISH DON’T CLIMB TREES

• AUDIO BOOK Sue is thrilled to say that very shortly, hopefully by Feb 1, FDCT will be available as an audio book, so watch this space www.fishdontclimbtrees.com ! SOO excited. She is launching a FDCT cartoon at the same time.

• FDCT Hard cover, paperback and e-book versions available at this link HERE, as well as Amazon etc.

Please add comments this year wherever you buy from.. Sue has paperbacks for just $20.

• ALSO coming soon… FDCT Workbooks ! Sue’s book talks about the new paradigm in education, SO she has created several workbooks for parents, teachers as a follow-on from her book. There is a Spelling Program, a Telling Time program, a Grammar program, a taking Math further program and a Study Skills program, all designed for those who have our wonderful way of thinking and learning (whether they know it or not ).

VIDEOs

• Sue’s March 2021 TEDx: Dyslexia: Enable the Learning Difference. Besides sharing to all your friends, teachers etc. please comment. Let’s get those algorithms working in our favour! Watch HERE.

• Sharon Roberts (Facilitator in Ontario and WDS Board Director) created this wonderful cartoon. Please share this one, and comment too ! Watch HERE.

• Sharon is now working on a video about Executive Function and the Life Concepts would be beneficial ! 

• We are constantly adding to The Whole Dyslexic Society’s You Tube Channel - please subscribe, again those algorithms! Watch HERE.  

• We plan to have the next series of podcasts as video/podcasts featuring all our Canadian Facilitators.

MAKING 2022 EASIER:

• If you are Home Schooling/Home Learning you can book a support session with this link HERE.

• APP – Picture Grammar – developed by Tessa Halliwell, a UK Davis Facilitator, assists trigger word mastery. Download from the Apple Store HERE. Download for Android HERE.

WHATEVER NEXT?

As a result of many of the TEDx coaches being Toastmasters, Sue got invited to one of their groups called The Professional Edge.

She hopes all these new contacts open doors for our outreach/fundraising.

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If you have any requests, suggestions, concerns please do let us know, we are truly here to support you in the best way we can.

Here’s to a fabulous happy, healthy, successful 2022.

With love and gratitude, Sue, Laura, Nadine, Sharon, Paddy, Julie, Gisa and Tristan.

---

Our Giving Guide: 

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

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