Breaking the Silence: Celebrating Successful Canadians with Dyslexia

For over 50 years, Vancouver-based Fluevog Shoes has been a trailblazer in the world of fashion, creating shoes that are not just footwear but works of art. Known for its innovative designs and distinctive flair, the brand has captured the hearts of shoe lovers worldwide. What many may not know, however, is that its founder, John Fluevog, and other members of his family have faced personal challenges related to dyslexia along their journey.

John, the founder of Fluevog Shoes, and his son Adrian, the current CEO, as well as Adrian’s son who is in grade 6, were diagnosed with dyslexia. Their resilience and success serve as a powerful reminder that dyslexia does not define one’s potential for greatness. This family’s story, rooted in British Columbia, underscores the importance of support and advocacy for children with dyslexia.

A common belief that all bright children learn to read easily has created a stigma surrounding reading difficulties that can prevent individuals from speaking up or seeking help. However, this belief is simply not true—many highly intelligent people struggle with learning to read due to dyslexia.

Dyslexia affects one in five children, making it the most common cause of reading difficulties. Unfortunately, despite being so common, dyslexia is often overlooked and misunderstood.

Dyslexia Canada’s annual Mark it Read awareness campaign seeks to dispel common misconceptions and change the narrative. This year’s theme, “Breaking the Silence,” encourages open conversations, sharing stories of success, and advocating for the support and resources that can help children with dyslexia thrive. 

This year, we interviewed ten highly successful Canadians with dyslexia on our Spotlight podcast. Each shared their personal journeys, from early struggles with reading and writing to finding ways to thrive in their respective fields. The guests offered invaluable tips for others navigating dyslexia, with a common message: don’t hide the challenges. Be open, seek support, and keep working hard. But they were also clear: hard work alone is not enough. Our guests emphasized that their success would not have been possible without the support they received along the way. 

One inspiring story is that of David Eliot. Diagnosed with both dyslexia and dysgraphia in early elementary school, David didn’t enjoy reading or writing as a child. Despite his early challenges, he has since excelled in fields that demand high levels of reading comprehension and writing. His accomplishments include writing a stage show, a short film, and authoring a book. “I never thought I would be a writer by any means,” says David, who is currently completing his PhD in social theory and was selected as a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar.  

David credits much of his success to the support he received, starting with his mother, “who knew exactly what to do,” as David’s two older brothers were diagnosed before him. He highlights the unique support system at Saint Francis Xavier University, where he studied in Nova Scotia, as key to his academic success, “They knew I had this disability and what my needs were, and it was amazing.”

Unfortunately, most children with dyslexia in Canada are not being properly identified or supported at school.  David believes that all children should have access to the kind of support he received. “I know that if most of the kids with dyslexia were given the same experiences as me, they would be there. They would have succeeded just as much as I did,” he explains.

Dyslexia Canada’s mission is to ensure that every child with dyslexia receives the support they need to thrive like David did. One way the organization is working towards this vision is by advocating for universal screening starting in Kindergarten. 

In British Columbia, while the government recently announced $30 million in funding for screening, there is still no policy in place to ensure that every child across the province is screened. This leaves many children at risk of being pushed along without support, which can lead to difficulties not only in school but also in their overall well-being and mental health.

If you’re a parent with a child in kindergarten through grade 3, we encourage you to ask your school whether your child will be screened using an evidence-based screening tool. And if you have concerns about your child’s literacy development, don’t wait to see if things get better. Early support is key to avoiding the negative impacts on confidence and mental health that can result from unaddressed reading difficulties. Dyslexia Canada is here to help—reach out if you need guidance or support.

Alicia Smith, Dyslexia Canada’s Executive Director, champions its mandate to ensure that every child in Canada with dyslexia has access to fair and equitable education.

About Dyslexia Canada

Dyslexia Canada is a national charity whose mission is to ensure that there is a national voice and forum to advocate for all Canadian children with dyslexia. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading difficulties, affecting 10%-20% of children. Partnering with professional organizations, experts and advocates, Dyslexia Canada strives to drive systemic change by engaging and educating the public and updating policies and practices to ensure that students with dyslexia are properly identified and supported.