Dear Friends,
November is here…sometimes quite warm, sometimes really cold !
Sue’s latest favourite quote: “A set back is a set up for a come back.” Dr. Willie Jolley
On October 23, I Am Humanity held its Humanity Flourishing event…https://www.iamhumanity.net/about
and thanks to Laura’s exceptional submission, Sue was one of the Finalists.
It was an incredibly humbling day, with impactful speakers and magical moments.
The Winners were two incredible women representing: Women for Peace (Israel) and Women of the Sun (Palestine) who walked through Rome barefoot to raise awareness! Sue still gets chills thinking about the amazing work they do.
Grandmother Anita Sanchez shared some Hopi prayers for:
The power of forgiving the unforgiveable
The power of healing
The power of unity
The power of hope in action
She shared that ‘Pain pushes and Vision pulls’…
She also shared a story that one day her grandmother said we are going outside every hour for five minutes to look at the flowers.
When it was dark they still went outside, she took a flashlight, there was no moonlight, it was pitch dark and when she shone it on the sunflowers, they had turned to face each other… her message being in the dark, turn to each other.
Along the way someone described the definition of AI as Ancient Intelligence rather than Artificial… Sue loved that one!
We now have a connection with these Global phenomena and are invited to attend their monthly meetings… very honoured.
On December 12 Sue shares The WDS Mission, Vision and current initiatives during the Humanity Flourishing Prize Awards Ceremony: A Celebration of Possibility. IAmHumanity.net
Giving and Receiving:
There are two wonderful ways to support The Whole Dyslexic Society this holiday season!
1. November 5-16 | Holiday Fundraising Catalogue
Get a head start on your holiday shopping! Browse a wonderful selection of seasonal gifts, wrapping paper, treats, kitchenware and more through our online fundraising catalogue:
30% of eligible sales comes directly to The Whole Dyslexic Society! A big thank-you to everyone who has already placed an order.
2. December 1-15 | Holiday 50/50 Fundraiser
Our Holiday 50/50 is coming soon! Get ready for your chance to win while supporting the work of The Whole Dyslexic Society.
Half of the ticket proceeds will go to our lucky winner, just in time for the holiday season, and the other half will support WDS programs and initiatives.
Stay tuned! Ticket sales information and the purchase link will be shared soon.
Please help spread the word! The more tickets sold, the bigger the potential prize. Even a $5 ticket could make someone's holiday a little brighter!
WHO KNEW Successes
Firstly, VERY exciting news... there is a very strong rumour that we will be able to release WHO KNEW on YouTube January 1, 2027. Will keep you informed!
A message from Rachel Barwell in New Zealand “Just so you know, 10/11 people who signed up for our Davis Parent Power - Dyslexia course had attended the WHO KNEW film events this past 3 months and
I've been invited to share WHO KNEW as part of a presentation at Kāpiti College, a local high school that has specific dyslexia and neurodiversity units within the school.”
Dave Conway of Victoria, BC came to see WHO KNEW at the Star Cinema on Oct 8, 2026. He is a storyteller, wonderfully talented dyslexic, and is a member of Confabulation. He has given us permission to share the first draft of the story he shared at their last meeting: My Super Power. Read more here…
This is how talented he is.. check out the Marvellous Marble Machine!
NeuroNavigators: Richard Whitehead and his team created Davis UK & Ireland NeuroNavigators where you will find many links to interesting articles and workshops. Free to join.
Children should be reading short sentences by age 5. Oh yeah? Tell that to... Sweden- Among the strongest performers in adult literacy in the OECD's Survey of Adult Skills Finland- Ranked the world's happiest country for the 9th year running Estonia -Among Europe's highest-performing education systems Czech Republic- I lived and taught in Prague for 8 years and the children were amazingly well- behaved, happy and respectful The common thread? School starts at 6.5 yrs or 7 yrs in these countries. No phonics classes, no reading assessments, no formal learning until then. The early years make room for play (especially outdoors!), exploration, and social development, without treating reading by 5 as the universal benchmark. And it works! Bright and happy kids who read when their brains are ready for it. So, tell me again why every child needs to be reading by 5? Cause the rest of the world ain't buying it.
CALENDAR:
Nov 5-16: Holiday Catalogue Fundraiser
Nov 6: Jump Start with AAHSA – Focus
November 13: Parent Power 6 Fridays (NeuroNavigators)
November 21: I am Humanity meeting
December 12: Humanity Flourishing Prize Awards Ceremony
December 1-15: Holiday 50/50 Raffle
February 5: Salt Spring Child Care Resources and Referral Pro D
February 12: Tapestry Conference, Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association
Stay Cozy!
Gratefully yours,
Sue, Laura, Julie, Sharon, Paddy, Maureen, Gisa, Tristan, Del
info@thewds.org
