David Flink Visits Kildonan and IP

David Flink (@DaveFlink) is a sort of celebrity in the LD world.  He approaches dyslexia from a mindset of pride, and due in part to this upbeat mentality, he earned a Bachelor’s degrees with honors in Education and Psychology from Brown University and a Master’s degree in Disability Studies in Education from Columbia University.  More notably, still, he co-founded the organization Eye-to-Eye while still a student in 1998.  As reported on the program's website, Eye-to-Eye (@E2ENational) strives to develop:

...a network of youth mentoring programs run by and for those with learning differences, and [organizes] advocates to support the full inclusion of people with learning disabilities and ADHD in all aspects of society.

Kildonan prides itself on having worked with David to create the first high school chapter of Eye-to-Eye in the nation.  It was a pleasure, then, to have David attend Founders' Day and mingle with assembled students, faculty, parents, grandparents, and relatives.

During his time on-campus, David gave a riveting keynote speech.  Using a humorous story, he shared kernels of advice for our dyslexic students:  self-advocacy, transparency and acceptance of one's LD, and a graceful sense of humor and patience.  He also provided a book signing in celebration of his first text, Thinking Differently.  Composed as a semi-autobiography, this book speaks directly to parents to help them understand dyslexia, successfully advocate for their children, and instill independence in them.

Finally, David toured the IP building.  He traveled between students, stopping to speak with Bull about his octopus, Clancy on nanomedicine, and Piterson on his wooden skeleton.  Ultimately, he expressed admiration for the program.  He asserted not only that IP's model could encompass an entire school but also that it should support the learning of all students, LD and otherwise.

Thank you, David, for visiting Kildonan!

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Description of images:  David Flink touring the IP building with Karl Oppenheimer, Sandy Charlap, and IP students.  All photos taken by the IP faculty with permission of David Flink.