International Celebration of Dyslexia

We believe dyslexia is a gift, not a curse
Approximately 10% of the world’s population ‘suffer’ from the gift of dyslexia however most of society label dyslexia a learning disorder. By concentrating on “fixing” the problem, it can make it difficult for this 10% of the population the chance to express their natural-born talents and gifts.
fMRI studies show a non-dyslexic person utilises the brain’s left-hemisphere more. This is a gift in its own right: logical, sequential, and great for literacy skills, such as writing, reading, and spelling. Dyslexic people, who tend to use the right hemisphere more, are often bright, highly intelligent and articulate but are simply unable to read, write, or spell at the level expected of them. Others are especially talented in art, drama, music, sports, mechanics, story-telling, sales, business, designing, building, and engineering.
The written word has been with us for only a short time in our long human evolution, before the advent of writing there would have been no such thing as a ‘dyslexic person’.
Studies have shown that entrepreneurs are five times more likely to be dyslexic. It has also shown that approximately 50% of London’s prison population is dyslexic. ICD aims to increase the number of entrepreneurs/creative people among the dyslexic population.
So what needs to happen? Those born with the GIFT of dyslexia should embrace these right-hemisphere brain talents and fly high!
The International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) is aimed at both adults and children (over eight years old) with the gift of dyslexia. This one-day event will offer dyslexic people the insight of how to unlock and retain their gift.
[ SPEAKERS & EVENT SCHEDULE ]
The International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) will benefit from the following keynote speakers. Free tickets available.
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Gibby Jasper
Entrepreneur, Speaker, Podcast Host
Gibby Jasper
Gibby Jasper embraced her dyslexia fully at the age of 24 and ever since has been on a mission to re-frame the way dyslexia is seen. Through speaking events and the podcast, Dyslexia Is Our Superpower she is spreading the message that dyslexics are superheroes.

Karl de Leeuw
Author, Campaigner, ICD Founder
Karl de Leeuw
Karl de Leeuw is the world’s leading campaigner for retaining the right hemisphere gift of dyslexia. He is author of The Dyslexia Code, The Universe Code and The Healthspring Code, and is the founder of the International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD).

Richard Whitehead
Davis Method Supervisor-Specialist, Author
Richard Whitehead
Richard Whitehead is a practising Davis® Facilitator (Dyslexia.com) with an academic background in languages and linguistics, extensive experience in teaching and education, and a keen interest in holistic therapies. He is author of Why ‘Tyrannosaurus’ But Not ‘If’?

Sam Rapp
Writer poet, playwright and lawyer
Sam Rapp
Sam Rapp (The Dyslexic poet), is an award-winning writer, poet, playwright, speaker, producer, part-time lawyer, chair of Dyslexia House Association, Co Chair of the Disability staff network for the public sector legal services and with her production company Fun with Words, conducts creative writing workshops, as a creative teacher. She is author of Rant: Dyslexic Me

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SPEAKER TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
To Be Announced
SPEAKER TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

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SPEAKER TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
To Be Announced
SPEAKER TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

Welcome to the inaugural International Celebration of Dyslexia
Gibby welcomes visitors to the inaugural International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) event and sets the stage for a fun event.

An Introduction to the ICD and to the Gift of Dyslexia
ICD founder, author and campaigner, Karl de Leeuw discusses the societal prejudices that dyslexia adults and children face, and how these challenges can be overcome. Dyslexia is a gift, not a curse, he argues - society must change and not dyslexics.

Practical examples of the Davis Method
Richard Whitehead, author of Why 'Tyrannosaurus But Not 'If'? gives practical examples of the Davis Method, to help boost your confidence and let you know how to succeed.

Refreshments
A selection of teas, coffee and water will be served.

Sam Rapp
Writer and poet Sam Rapp will combine a mixture of a talk with poetry about her journey, and also get the audience to write poetry themselves. Bring along pen and paper, or your smartphone/notebook if you wish to take part.

Lunch Break
We provide 1.5hr lunch beak for ICD attendees to enjoy their own packed lunch or make use of the many local eateries within a few minutes walk of the venue.

Speaker to be announced.
Speaker details coming soon!

Speaker TBA
Speaker to be announced soon!

Q&A Between the audience and speakers
A Questions & Answers session between the audience and the speakers until 4pm, when ICD finishes.
[ Tickets ]
Live Event and LiveStream Tickets will be freely available for the International Celebration of Dyslexia.

ICD 2021
Live Event Details
DATE & Time: 10am Saturday, 30th October 2021
Location: London South Bank University
(Exact location details to follow)
Livestream Details
Streaming Globally from London, 10am GMT
If you download a Streaming Ticket, we will send you a link before the event to enable you to join us from wherever you are in the world.
All tickets will be available from Eventbrite, full details coming soon.

[ IN THE PRESS ]
The International Celebration of Dyslexia (ICD) has and continues to enjoy media attention. Explore our news and press coverage to date, below.

Let’s Have a Party!!!
The International Celebration of Dyslexia aims to “shatter the myth” that the condition is a “curse”. Unlike existing events, which focus on ‘coping’ with dyslexia,…

Mark my words: dyslexia is a gift, not a curse!!!
After learning that his daughter was also dyslexic, Karl de Leeuw set about finding a ‘cure’. His quest triggered a chain of events that will…
[ The Dyslexia Code ]
Karl de Leeuw's book The Dyslexia Code: Why Right-Brained Children Should be Left...Alone is available now on Amazon.