disthedis-about

About Dis the Dis

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Dis – it’s just three letters but this prefix has such negative vibes. It means not or none. So, when we add ‘dis’ to the beginning of a word, we turn it into something negative, like when we add Dis to the word ‘honest’ to form ‘dis-honest’

At Dis the Dis we aim to challenge the perceived negativity that comes with being labelled Disabled. It can impact on peoples’ perceptions of being incapable, another negatively prefixed category.
While some people don’t see the term ‘disabled’ as a negative, a great many people living with disability do and that’s why we think we should Dis the Dis ~ Take the DIS out of disABILITY.

The Dis the dis movement started in after I was invited to a golf tournament fundraiser to give a speech. As my family and I were preparing we realized that the prefix DIS sends a negative message. We found that there were many words that begin with DIS and we wanted to make a positive message. We take the DIS out of all the words because to me, DIS DOES NOT EXIST!

So you see by taking the dis out these words have all become positive message.

“We cross the DIS out of everything…because to me, DIS does not exist.” ~ Alessia ~

“We will help you more than you will help us!.” ~ Alessia ~

“We are honest and hard working.”

Alessia

“Give them credit for something because they are trying their absolute best!.”

Alessia

Dis the Dis Poster Board

The original poster was created by sister Ilaria and Mom Angie for the Summit School fund raiser golf tournament at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2022.

Let me explain …..

Dis the Dis Poster Board

“We cross the DIS out of everything…because to me, DIS does not exist.” ~ Alessia ~

When Alessia was 7 we signed her up for skating. Being DYSPRAXIC, we were told that she would not be able to because of her poor muscle ton and coordination. But Alessia really wanted to try it. Her cousins were all skaters. So we signed her up.

After the first session, Alessia said to me “dad, I quit” “quit what?”, I asked. She said “quit skating, it’s too hard.”

I told her that quitting was not an option. You ,just finish what you start I told her.

She continued, motivated by the show that there was to be at the end.

She did not skate any better at the end but participated in the show and was extremely proud of herself for not giving up.

This was the beginning of trying things that she was not expected to try. Not giving up. And succeeding at EVERYTHING she sets out to do.