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Meet Rebecca Warner
Rebecca is the mom to an amazing dyslexic son and the founder of Dyslexia pqbd (beautiful dyslexia jewelry). We are honored and grateful to have Rebecca on the show in May celebrating mothers raising dyslexic children. She is changing the way her community and many other communities understand and advocate for children with dyslexia.
“Apparently it does take a village!” – Rebecca Warner
After kindergarten, two years of first grade, and a rocky second grade for her oldest son, Rebecca learned he was dyslexic (like his dad). She rolled up her sleeves, bought some flashcards, and prepared to “fix” her quiet son of what she misunderstood as simply reading backwards (or was it in mirror images?). However, when she began researching, talking to specialists, and meeting for coffee with other parents, what she learned was her own epiphany. His struggle with decoding letters indicated a unique difference in learning and what an amazing mind it is! Calmed by this knowledge, Rebecca came to understand that her son’s dyslexic brain will take him exactly where he wants to go. Even more, she now knows how to parent and guide him on his path.
In the winter of 2012, Rebecca started a local parent support and dyslexia awareness group that met monthly. Armed with her new knowledge and determination, the small group of moms co-founded the Virginia chapter of Decoding Dyslexia. By early 2013, DDVA had a website, a Facebook page, and members across the state ready for action! The DDVA began lobbying in the Virginia General Assembly with teams of both republicans and democrats to introduce bills that would change the face of education in their state.
After many conversations, letters, events, and meetings the community leaders successfully passed laws requiring all licensed Virginia teachers to watch the VDOE Dyslexia Awareness Module, the hiring of dyslexia advisors, higher ed to include dyslexia training, and parent notification when a student is not hitting certain benchmarks. With the foundation of these new bills, Rebecca is seeing what education could look like for her grandchildren, so there is no stopping her now!
Rebecca created the dyslexia symbol to empower the dyslexia community. As a jeweler, she decided to make a few pieces of jewelry for moms (and anyone who wants to support and raise dyslexia awareness) to wear. Rebecca has a keychain, earrings, necklaces, and a few other dyslexia jewelry pieces (even a few one-of-a-kind items). It’s an amazing conversation starter when you are wearing this symbol.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN
- Rebecca’s dyslexia parenting journey
- Creating a monthly support group for other parents of dyslexic children
- What led Rebecca to lead her community to create a Virginia Chapter for Decoding Dyslexiaxia
- Advice for other moms on this dyslexia journey
- Dyslexia Library Challenge
- Journey to creating a beautiful dyslexia symbol and a line of jewelry
- Self-care practice
CONNECT WITH Rebecca
References Mentioned in Episode
- Decoding Dyslexia Virginia – Facebook Community
- International Dyslexia Association
- The New Community School, Virginia
- Project Dyslexia Friendly Library
- Dyslexia Simulation
- CBS News Story, Cracking the Code
- Virginia DOE Dyslexia Awareness Training Module for Educators (free resource)
DID YOU ENJOY THE SHOW?
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- Join the conversation by leaving a comment below or join our amazing mom tribe in our private Facebook Group for the show, Dyslexia Mom Life Podcast Community. It’s free!
- I’d love to hear about your parenting journey and what is on your mind, how can I help. Connect with Nicole on Instagram ~ drop in my DMs to say hi and introduce yourself and your amazing dyslexic kiddo.
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