Newsletter October 2025
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and the WDS is certainly playing its part.
On Wednesday Oct 8 Sue presented her first Keynote session at the Edmonton Family Literacy Conference and they also screened our WHO KNEW documentary. Both were warmly received and we now have some beautiful connections, interested in both the correction and the prevention strategies.
AND we just heard, from Kelly Conlin, our exceptionally excited WHO KNEW Film Director that we have been accepted by the Los Angeles Film Festival in the category for female directors. How amazing is that??? We only know it is Nov 6-9 and there must have been about 6,000 entries… we will have more details soon and make sure they are on our website. Check back often: https://www.thewds.org/documentary-who-knew
So how’s that for a great start to October?
Grateful
We have a sincere thank you to Nadine Schumont who is retiring from our Board, but not our world. We are more than grateful for the time and energy she has donated to us and we have always benefited from her infectious enthusiasm. We will all miss her and admire all the community projects she is heading into.
Sharon Roberts has been penning wonderful well-researched articles for our Newsletter which we have used for our Come to the Dyslexic Table discussions, and in turn Sue then edits for our podcasts.
As of November, we are taking a break from CTTDT for a while and we look forward to Sharon having her own ‘corner’ in our Newsletters.
More WHO KNEW News
So far our private screenings have been in Sidney BC, Edmonton, Ontario and Leicestershire in England.
WHO KNEW was screened at the Family Literacy Conference after Sue’s Keynote on Oct 8.
Sharon Roberts will host a screening in Hamilton, Ontario, Nov 1 aided by our PR volunteer Emily Zwart.
We have had requests from Italy, Spain, Australia, two Facilitators in the UK and two in Ontario.
We are very hopeful that Ron and Alice Davis will view it this month… it wouldn’t be its own power house without them!
From Tessa Halliwell (our UK host/distributor):
“I have been booked to show the film again on Nov 13 to parents of dyslexics whose teacher attended previously.
I met with the teacher and her Head on Monday who admitted phonics doesn’t work but also admitted getting out of that box will be very difficult.
I was asked to attend their next inclusion meeting with their SEND academy lead - I’m awaiting a date.
The effect of that film is amazing🧡”
We still have to hear from Yukon, Victoria, Whistler, Sedona, Edinburgh, Indianapolis, Santa Barbara, Pasadena and Seattle Film Festivals …. we had ‘no’ from Vancouver, Toronto and New York. This may delay our general release which is due for December 2, 2025.
Visit our WHO KNEW landing page for up-to-date happenings and information about private screenings.
To register for the private screening in Hamilton, Nov 1st, visit the registration page here: https://events.hpl.ca/event/14800442
Social Media News
We have started two campaigns.
The Word Mastery Challenge. Word Mastery is an integral part of a Davis program and we hope this will become an interactive project.
Our first model was for the meaning of ‘imagine’… and we look forward to receiving words that our community challenges us to model a meaning. Watch for our posts on Instagram and Facebook the 3rd week of each month. Or visit our Facebook page - pinned posts - for the latest.
Throughout October we will be introducing the WDS TEAM that makes the dream work! ✨
We’re excited to introduce you to the creative, talented, and dedicated board members & volunteers behind The Whole Dyslexic Society. Over the next few weeks you’ll get to know each of us a little better. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn each week to meet our team!
Kakamega Project – Laura played a major role in the creation of Geoffrey’s application for the Humanity Flourishing Prize and he is now one of the finalists. We are excited to share this upcoming Humanity Day Global Broadcast Event on October 18th when the five Prize recipients will be revealed throughout the broadcast. Join us as we celebrate our very own Humanity Champion Finalist Geoffrey Ashiono.
Calendar:
October 23: Sue and Julie will be at a Panel Discussion at the Child Care Resource & Referral Consultant – West Shore Sooke Family Resource Society
November 1: WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking premieres in Hamilton, Ontario hosted by Sharon Roberts and Emily Zwart.
November 6-9: International Premiere of WHO KNEW Dyslexia is a Way of Thinking at the Los Angeles Film Festival, USA.
November 27: Sue presenting webinar for BC Campus’ Accessibility Bites – aiding adult dyslexics.
December 2: Proposed General Release of WHO KNEW via Telus STORYHIVE… tbc.
Happy Fall!
~Your Board, Sue, Maureen, Julie, Tristan, Del, Sharon, Gisa, Laura, Paddy
info@thewds.org
