Issue 25: Marin's Principle: Paving the Way for Literacy and Justice in Manitoba

Twila had been advocating for her children since they were 6 years old. When the twins were 12, Twila realised she could only afford to seek private diagnostic testing for one of them. She made the difficult decision to focus on Marin's sibling first, knowing Marin still needed help but lacking the resources to provide it.

The diagnosis for Marin's twin confirmed what Twila suspected: dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Even with a diagnosis in hand, there was no relief to the struggles her twins were experiencing. The school system didn't offer Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or meaningful interventions for either child, leaving Twila to navigate an uphill battle on her own.

Twila explored every possible avenue, including considering relocating to a school where teachers trained to support learning disabilities, but no such option existed. Determined to get support for her children, she pursued specialised training herself, equipping herself to teach orthographic and phonological awareness at home. While this filled some of the academic gaps left by the education system, Marin continued to be overwhelmed by sensory, social, and communication challenges at school. She eventually went into burnout, and by the time she was 17, her weight had dropped to 80 pounds. It was at this point Twila made the life-saving decision to pull her from school entirely.

Marin, now 19, has faced immense challenges, spending years misdiagnosed and misunderstood by systems that failed to recognise her needs. It wasn't until 2024, after countless hurdles, that she finally received complete diagnostic testing—answers Twila had been chasing for a long time now.

Marin isn't alone in this journey. As a former classroom teacher, Twila was instructed to teach using whole-word programs, also known as balanced literacy—a method embedded in the curriculum since 1996. From the start, she felt this approach failed to teach children how to read. "I've spoken out about this since 2008," she shares, a conviction shaped by her own experiences as someone who, like Marin, is severely dyslexic, autistic, dysgraphic, and dyscalculic.

Marin's Principle: A Path Toward Literacy and Inclusion

Through years of advocacy, Twila Richards has faced relentless dismissals. "I've been told it's too late, that we're casualties, and that people don't want to hear our story because it's 'too sad,'" she shares. Yet, she refuses to give up.

Marin's Principle was born out of these struggles—not just for Marin but for everyone who has been left behind by systemic failures. While there have been promising shifts in literacy instruction for younger children, Twila knew these changes came too late for her children and countless others. This sparked the creation of Marin's Principle—a call to action aimed at ensuring that every individual, regardless of age, has the opportunity to become functionally literate.

For years, Twila had presented the Manitoba government with evidence of the lifelong consequences of inadequate literacy instruction: unemployment, underemployment, homelessness, incarceration, poor mental health, and even higher suicide rates. Despite this data, effective changes for older children, teens, and adults have been slow to materialise. Marin's Principle aims to address these gaps by providing neurodivergent Manitobans with the support they need to thrive.

"Marin is not a dropout; she is a survivor," Twila emphasises. "She was saved in 2022, but the trauma remains, not just for her but for countless neurodivergent Manitobans who continue to be excluded." Twila reminds us that neurodivergent individuals deserve dignity, respect, and inclusion. "We know who we are and what we need," she asserts. "Marin is not a casualty, and neither are we—students who are preteens, teens, adults, and those who are no longer in school. We ALL deserve inclusion and choice."

The Principle emphasises that preteens, teens, and adults who missed out on appropriate literacy instruction deserve access to effective, evidence-aligned education of their choosing. For Twila, this isn't just about correcting past mistakes—it's about giving individuals the freedom to live fully. "Freedom of choice of where, how, and when to receive instruction will help pave the way to inclusion," she explains. Marin's Principle advocates for truth and compassion, acknowledging the trauma caused by exclusion while striving for rectification and reparation.

Children will become adults. If those who struggle with literacy continue to, they deserve the help of their choosing.

The Core Values of Marin's Principle

Marin's Principle outlines actionable steps to create pathways for neurodivergent Manitobans who have been excluded from opportunities for functional literacy. It calls for:

1. Funding for Specialised Instruction: Ensuring access to evidence-aligned literacy instruction outside the traditional school system at the individual's choice.
2. Support for Adults: Offering avenues for adults to receive the education they were denied, including private literacy instruction of their choosing and access to missed senior-year courses.
3. Trauma-Informed Counseling: Providing private counselling of their choosing to help neurodivergent individuals address the educational trauma they have endured.
4. Teacher Training: Equipping classroom teachers with the tools and knowledge to effectively teach neurodivergent students.
5. Compensation for Harm: Providing financial compensation for adults who remain functionally illiterate after age 18 due to systemic failures.

At its heart, Marin's Principle champions the right to choose how one becomes functionally literate. It recognises that literacy is a gateway to independence, dignity, and inclusion.

Marin's Principle: From Draft to Action

Drafting the petition for Marin's Principle was a collaborative effort that took over 100 hours of meticulous work. Twila Richards, with support from Marin and other neurodivergent advocates, ensured the petition reflected the lived experiences of those it aimed to help. Marin's grandparents played a crucial role in editing, while former Manitoba MLA Jon Gerrard facilitated the submission of the petition to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

Gerrard, reflecting on his involvement, shared:

My interest in dyslexia goes back to 1970 when, as a medical student, I had an elective with an internationally recognized clinician-scientist who was dyslexic. I came to appreciate both the struggles of and the potential for a person with dyslexia. During my 24 years as a Member of the Legislature in Manitoba, I found that a number of the individuals in most need of help had a learning disability. I have come to the realization that people with dyslexia can be among those most marginalized and discriminated against, and we need to change this to help them and to achieve a better society. When Twila Richards approached me, I immediately recognized the importance of her efforts, the importance of Marin’s Principle and have been doing what I can to learn from her and Malin and to support their advocacy.

Twila also acknowledges the contributions of Decoding Dyslexia Ontario (DDON) leaders Natalie Gallimore, Janice Jones, and Lark Barker—the volunteer parent advocates who played key roles in initiating the Ontario Human Rights Commission's Right to Read inquiry—whose advocacy and insights helped shape Marin's Principle. Many others contributed their guidance and assistance in gathering signatures. Despite the challenges, this team's dedication brought Marin's Principle to life as a bold step toward rectifying the systemic failures faced by neurodivergent Manitobans.

The petition for Marin's Principle has reached an important milestone, having been read in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly on December 3, 2024, by Mark Wasyliw. This marks the beginning of the formal legislative process, but much work remains to ensure the Principle is adopted and its goals are realised. Twila Richards and her supporters continue to emphasise the need for a strong collective voice to create a "public outcry" that will push the government to act. The movement is gaining momentum, with over 300 signatures gathered from across Canada, the USA, and even Scotland. However, Twila urges everyone to join the cause by signing the petition and advocating for the systemic changes Marin's Principle seeks to implement.

Marin's Principle offers a much-needed path forward for those who have been failed by traditional educational systems. It envisions a future where literacy and inclusion are accessible to everyone, ensuring that no one is left behind. Support Marin's Principle by signing the petition, spreading the word, and joining the fight for meaningful change. Together, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Here’s how you can help

• Sign the petition
  Download the petition, make a paper copy of it, and get one or more signatures. [manitobaliberals.ca]
• Email the Advocacy letter
  Download the advocacy letter on the website, sign it and email it to one or more of the MLAs on the list of MLAs and email addresses. [manitobaliberals.ca]

Extracts from Dystinct Magazine