Dyslexia Canada Spotlight

S2 Grand Finale – Breaking the Silence: CTV Your Morning co-host Lindsey Deluce sits down with former NHL player Tie Domi

To wrap up Dyslexia Awareness Month, we’ve got something special! CTV *Your Morning* co-host Lindsey Deluce sits down with former NHL player Tie Domi. Known for his toughness and grit on the ice, Tie played 16 seasons in the NHL, most of them with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, what many didn’t know until he released his memoir, Shift Work, in 2015, is that Tie Domi has dyslexia.

S2 E1 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: Dan Carter, mayor of Oshawa

October 1st, 2024, marks the launch of our 7th annual Dyslexia Awareness Month campaign, themed Breaking the Silence. This year, we celebrate inspiring individuals who have overcome the challenges of dyslexia, like Dan Carter, the Mayor of Oshawa. As a child, Dan Carter faced significant struggles due to undiagnosed dyslexia, leading to low self-esteem and a difficult journey through drug abuse and homelessness. However, at 31, he turned his life around by embracing his dyslexia and openly sharing his experiences.

S2 E2 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: Michael Karras, Vice Principal at Lord Asquith School

Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD in elementary school, Michael Karras faced many hurdles, but with determination, he earned a Bachelor of Education and became a passionate advocate for students with learning disabilities.

S2 E3 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: David Eliot, PhD Candidate and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar

David Eliot is a PhD candidate in Criminology at the University of Ottawa and a 2022-2025 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar. His academic journey has earned him numerous awards, and beyond academia, David is active in the arts and activism. Diagnosed with dysgraphia in Grade 3, David Eliot has overcome significant hurdles. He emphasizes that many with dyslexia could achieve similar success if given the same opportunities he received.

S2 E4 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: The Fluevog Family's Inspiring Journey with Dyslexia

For over 50 years, Fluevog Shoes has been a trailblazer in the world of fashion, creating shoes that are not just footwear but works of art. What many may not know, however, is that its founder, John Fluevog, faced personal challenges related to dyslexia on his path to success. Even though John Fluevog has struggled with dyslexia his entire life—a reading and writing disability—an important feature of his products is the written messages included on the soles of his shoes or hinted at through their design.

S2 E5 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: Mikaÿla Perrier’s Journey of Resilience and Success

Mikaÿla Perrier has built a career helping others, notably adults with dyslexia, through support and her ebook A Guide for Adult Dyslexics. She now works as a psychometrician specializing in psychological tests for the rehabilitation of Canadian war veterans. However, her own journey with dyslexia began early. Diagnosed in Grade 2, her path has been shaped by both the challenges of dyslexia and her determination to overcome them.

S2 E6 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: Stuart Bruce, Entrepreneur and Chair of Dyslexia Canada

Diagnosed with dyslexia in Grade 3, Stuart Bruce received the right support and went on to build a successful career as an entrepreneur in the insurance industry. He is currently the Chairman of the Board and CEO of FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada. However, the more he learned, the more shocked he became to discover that 45 years later, children with dyslexia in Canada are still not consistently identified or given the support they need. In 2016, he joined forces with Keith Gray, founder of Dyslexia Canada, to advocate for equitable education for every child with dyslexia. Stuart became Dyslexia Canada's Chair in 2023.

S2 E7 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: DJ Cunningham, Founder of LEARNstyle Ltd.

Despite the challenges at school, DJ Cunningham's home environment, especially the support from his family, made all the difference. After university, he began selling assistive technology and went on to develop his own business, LEARNstyle Ltd., at age 24, which is now the largest K-12 educational training company in Canada.

S2 E8 – Mark it Read – Breaking the Silence: Andrew Armstrong’s Journey Through a Thriving Career and Retirement

Rather than letting dyslexia define him, Andrew Armstrong channeled his passion into a successful career with the Canadian Coast Guard. His career spanned over three decades, culminating as the National Coordinator of Marine Security for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Even in retirement, Andrew Armstrong remains active, serving as a volunteer first responder, firefighter, yoga instructor, and doping control officer. Yet, he acknowledges that dyslexia still poses challenges, especially with written communication.

S2 E9 – Marquez en rouge – Briser le silence: le parcours de résilience et de succès de Mikaÿla Perrier

Mikaÿla Perrier a forgé sa carrière en aidant les autres, notamment les adultes ayant une dyslexie, grâce à son soutien et au livre numérique qu’elle a publié sur le sujet. Elle travaille maintenant comme psychométricienne spécialisée dans les tests psychologiques pour la réadaptation des vétérans canadiens.