Spellingway
- Sandra Verhoeff
- Jan 3
- 6 min read
We are excited to launch our new Society!!
Spellingway Communication Society was officially incorporated as of October 23, 2025.
Spellingway.
This word was inspired from the author’s name: Hemmingway.
Why?
Because, like the famous writer, our non/minimal/unreliable-speaking autistics use the most amazing and eloquent words—laced with deep meaning, angst, and joy.
I’m gonna be real here for a minute.
I’m angry at the injustice of it all.
Luke was trapped in his mind for 19 years, as are many non/minimal/reliable-speaking autistics.
What happened to Luke was wrong.
I’m trying so hard to take my anger and channel it into something good. Something that will support Luke’s autonomous future.
This is “Our Why”... why we started a Society.
We need change. Literally and figuratively.
We need change in the diagnosing system.
We need change in the way we see and interact and support nonspeakers.
We need change in the school systems.
We need change, physical change… coins, bills, funds, your money, please.
Changing systems is hard. We know, we’ve tried; and we will continue to keep trying. We’ve had amazing conversations with the local School District, and Community Living BC. But like a big heavy freighter ship… it’s really hard to turn it around.
So we decided to focus on our individuals, instead of the bigger picture.
We want to change each of our Speller’s lives for the best, one at a time. (Do you know the starfish story? Making a difference to each individual stranded “starfish” by tossing it back in the ocean, one at a time… )
Grass roots style.
In the last 18 months we have:
2 CRPs in Kamloops Brittney Ritchie, Vocal Vista. Alyssa Dennis, Spelling Forward (Spelling 2 Communicate (S2C) Communication Regulation Practitioners (CRPs).
2 open* Spellers in Kamloops: Luke and Cash.
Brittney is currently working with 11 Spellers (6 Kamloops + area / 5 Virtual all over BC)
Alyssa is currently working with 4 Spellers (Kamloops)
1 CRP in Kelowna Carly Zeeman Okanagan Spellers
1 open Speller in Kelowna: Owen.
Many open Spellers in other areas of BC and Alberta: Adiyaan, Anantha, Christian, Craig, Devon, Eric, Geoff, Harith, Jana, Josh, Malolan, Maya, Natalie, Nikhil, Rumi, Sophie, Stellan, and more.
1 Kamloops university student who is pursuing a Psychology Degree at TRU and starting the S2C prerequisite courses in order to be a CRP one day.
*open: communicating their inner thoughts "openly" (full conversations, writing, poems)
We are slowly growing. One Speller at a time. One Practitioner at a time.
Spellingway Communication Society has 4 purposes:
Spelling: funding for parents to access free letterboards and to help pay for initial practitioner fees.
Support Group: opportunities for parents and caregivers to exchange advice, listening ears, and compassion.
Community: activities, workshops, social events and more, for our Spellers to build community.
Recruitment: those interested in becoming a Spelling practitioner (S2C CRP) can receive guidance, information, and scholarships/funding.
How can you help?
Please become a member!
As a Society we are expected to provide membership options.
We offer a basic “Friends of Spellingway” membership ($25 per year) for those who just want to support our cause and stay in touch with what we’re doing.
We also offer a “Spellingway Communication” Membership ($40 per year) which reaches out to those within our community: Spellers, Practitioners, Parents/family, Caregivers, Educational Assistants, Teachers, Therapy Professionals... anyone who works with or lives with an autistic nonspeaker. This membership includes the extras of voting privileges at our Annual General Meeting (AGM), as well as access to our lending library of Letterboards and Spelling-related books.
Don’t want to commit to membership? No worries! A one-time or monthly Donation is helpful, too.
We promise to share our journey and our Spellers’ stories through social media.
Thank you for your support and kindness.
The Spellingway Board: Dave Verhoeff
Luke Verhoeff
Betty Beukema
Heather Vohradsky
Sandra Verhoeff
Here is an introduction to our incredible volunteer Board and Advisors.
Luke Verhoeff Vice President
Luke is 21, an autistic nonspeaker who found his voice at 19. He is a self-professed max-chill hippie at heart. He aspires to become a poet. Since becoming an open Speller, Luke has completed his first university course; written 15 poems—4 of which are published in Mentoring Minds’ Volume 1 & Volume 2 “Pointed Poetry” books (available on Amazon); collaborated with his mom on their journey story in their book "Hopenstone"(available on Amazon); participated in a Spellers Webinar sponsored by Aide Canada; was interviewed in a podcast called “Encouraging Nonspeakers: How Luke found his voice”; and worked with the University of Calgary Ethereal Team on research projects involving the potential use of virtual / eye-gaze letterboards. He was also a cast member in the CBC Gem TV Show “The Assembly” and he has been interviewed by CFJC-TV television and CBC radio. Follow Luke’s journey and learn more at thisisluke.ca. Luke loves writing poetry, his morning Nespresso coffee, a really good steak, and spending time in nature with the wisdom of the trees.
Damon Kirsebom Advisor
Damon is a 24-year-old (mostly) nonspeaking autistic individual who learned to type his thoughts at age 15. He graduated from high school, and now attends university, with an interest in policy making. Damon is committed to sharing his experiences with parents and professionals, with the goal that all nonspeaking autistic people will be fully included in our society. Along with many presentations, he has produced educational videos, written a chapter in a published book “Leaders Around Me”, was a speaker in an Aide Canada webinar, and has 4 poems published in Mentoring Minds’ Volume 1 & 2 “Pointed Poetry” books. Damon is also featured in Communication First’s short film, “Listen,” and is an interviewer in the Canadian version of “The Assembly”. Follow Damon’s journey and find links to all his advocacy and accomplishments at www.damonkirsebom.com. Damon likes fries, education access, and a variety of physical activities.
Cash Dennis Advisor
Cash is 18, and recently found his voice through Spelling 2 Communicate (S2C). Cash is thoughtful, funny, driven, and deeply expressive. Through spelling, he has revealed a vivid and authentic sense of self. His words reflect a keen intellect and vibrant imagination but also a deep awareness of what truly matters to him: family, independence, and love. His voice—honest and powerful—reminds us of the importance of listening, and recognizing the unique brilliance of every communicator. Cash recently had two poems published in Mentoring Minds’ Volume 2 “Pointed Poetry” book, now available on Amazon. Cash’s mom, Alyssa Dennis, is Kamloops’ second Communication Regulation Practitioner (CRP) www.spellingforward.com. Cash loves swimming, Mexican food, and his sister Ella.
Dave Verhoeff President
Dave works at Thompson Rivers University in the Admissions for Open Learning department, helping new students navigate the application process. Dave’s education includes two diplomas: the first one in Forestry, and a second as a Library Technician. Dave has a varied work history including construction, fire safety, life raft inspections/repairs, library technician (including law library support), and university admissions. Dave’s passion is outdoors—spending time at his recreational property just outside Kamloops. If he has to be indoors, Dave can be seen reading books during his downtime… up to 40 books per year. Dave is also “on board” with supporting Luke with any therapy, research or technology that will further Luke’s autonomy and happiness. Dave loves campfires, smoking meat, and alone time (self-proclaimed introvert!).
Betty Beukema Secretary
Betty graduated from the University of Waterloo in Ontario with Bachelor of Math (with honours) and is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA). She recently retired from a long and successful career with Save-on Foods corporate head office, wearing many hats over the 28 years (Branch accounting, Internal Auditor, Manager of implementation of a financial system, Financial Analyst—Pharmacy, POS, Self-checkout, Merchandising system, Merchandising & Operations Support, Change Management). Betty enjoys working part-time as a bookkeeper for her local church in Abbotsford. Her downtime involves reading, reading, and more reading… with breaks in between to walk her two dogs: Bailey and Arrow. Betty loves jigsaw puzzles, cooking, food, and has a penchant for a good caramel corn.
Heather Vohradsky Treasurer
Heather studied Science and Math at the University of the Fraser Valley; and also completed a Nursing Unit Clerk Diploma. She worked in a variety of hospitals and gained a deep appreciation for people and community relationships. While residing in Prince George, she gained experience in project management and marketing as a Management Director. She is currently an Accounting Clerk, working at Kamloops Christian School. Heather has an amazing energy and passion for helping people, and going above-and-beyond helping with many school events including raffles, fundraising dinners, PAC projects, and any other extracurricular activity. In her downtime she often volunteers for her church, or you can find her rinkside (curling) or in the stadium (shot-put) cheering on her only son’s athletic pursuits. Heather loves tea, playing with her Cricut machine, gelato, travel, and paddle boarding.
Sandra Verhoeff Marketing and Communications
Sandra has a BA in Commercial Art from Calvin University (Grand Rapids, MI). She is a self-employed graphic designer and owner of Signet Studio. She enjoys a quiet lifestyle, balancing her time between her boys (Luke & Joel), work, and time in nature. Sandra’s main passion, aside from designing, is advocating for Luke Verhoeff’s right to communication. Calling herself—with pride—Luke’s personal assistant, Sandra continues to campaign for spelling on a letterboard for communication as a human right for non/minimal/unreliable speaking autistics. Learn more about Sandra and Luke’s journey in the collaboratively-written book called “Hopenstone” now available on Amazon. Check out Sandra’s graphic design company at www.signetstudio.com. Sandra loves chocolate, authentic one-on-one conversations, tea lattes, and wildflowers.