Tag: bike

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April 19, 2021

This National Volunteer Week, we want you to meet some of the amazing individuals who give back so generously in our programs. From across the Lower Mainland, Kelowna, Kamloops, Victoria and Nanaimo, we are so lucky to benefit from hundreds of volunteers.

Austin Pietramala has supported CAN participants in both Kelowna and Kamloops since 2017. We asked him why he got involved with CAN and what continues to drive him to give back!

Which programs have you supported with CAN?

I have volunteered for Multi-Sport, Swim, Bike, and Skate in both Kelowna and Kamloops!

What motivated you to volunteer with CAN participants?

I have played organized sports throughout my life and understand the effect that it can have on young children growing up. I know it helps with the development of social and motor skills.

But mainly, sports provides kids with the opportunity to just be kids and have fun!

Austin testing out a bike camp activity with staff in Kamloops! (2019)

Growing up, my mother was a CEA, so I was introduced to what autism was at a young age. I always wanted to help people on the autism spectrum like she did.

I was also always aware that people with certain challenges or disabilities (whether they be physical or cognitive, etc.) might not have the same opportunity as others. And that never sat well with me.

So when I learned about CAN, I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer!

Do you have a favourite memory in your time volunteering with CAN?

A participant and I both got along really well with each other, and we created a secret handshake. Every time that something awesome happened or we were just happy and having fun, we did the secret handshake.

The handshake was quite involved too! We were partnered up for a few different sessions, and the handshake lasted throughout all of them.

Why do you continue volunteering with CAN?

I’ve met so many great people had so many great experiences. I want to continue sharing all of the skills that organized sports has given me. And hopefully, a few more laughs and smiles along the way!

More volunteer stories:

Nina Gaspari: “Be kind to one another”

Sebastian: “Living a life I like”

Kyle Boyle: Why I volunteer for CAN

Former hockey player gives back at CAN skate

Starbucks: An extra shot of good

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Aug 17, 2018

Celebrating the spirit of inclusivity in sports and rec in Vancouver, we have been a proud charity partner of Our Cityride for the past two years. Set to be held this Saturday, August 18, the annual ride takes cyclists of all ages and abilities through a scenic route of Stanley Park and Downtown Vancouver.

In anticipation of the mass ride, 365 International Sport Foundation and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines generously donated a pair of Norco bicycles to be presented to two lucky Canucks Autism Network (CAN) participants.

In order to determine the recipients, we invited CAN families to share with us how our programs have helped their family become more active within their community.

The overwhelming response of inspiring testimonials made for a difficult selection. But after careful deliberation, we are extremely excited to be presenting bicycles to two very deserving families.

A mother of two sons with autism (aged 5 and 7), Susan Mackenzie has successfully used CAN programs to “build a bridge” for her family to enjoy more sports and rec opportunities in their community. Since 2015, her sons have participated in I CAN Be Active, Swim, Multisport and Gymnastics. Susan shared the following about her family’s experience with CAN:

“With the support of CAN’s knowledgeable staff, our sons can participate in sports like any other child, but in a truly supportive, inclusive and caring environment.

My oldest son has acquired so many skills through CAN swim that we were able to place him in regular public swim lessons for the first time this past spring! Now, we often go to our community pool and the beach to swim as a family!

Participation in community sports have not only helped our sons develop physically, but socially as well! Being active helps their body and mind. Needless to say, physical activity is paramount in our lives!”

Meanwhile, Robert Weishuhn and his family of five have been CAN members for four years now. Together, they have participated in countless Family Events, including our annual Sports Day, YVR Accessibility Tour, Movie Matinee, and Teahouse Breakfast. At 15 years old, his son Jamie has enjoyed CAN’s Monthly Youth Program and will be going to Overnight Camp for the first time this summer at Keats.

A father assists his son while playing ball hockey on a turf field.
Robert and Jamie at CAN Sports Day in 2016.

“CAN has provided us with opportunities to meet and make friends with so many other individuals and families living with autism. They have given us the chance to participate in activities that we would not normally be able to.

We are trying to get our son more active for his health. His little sister in very active and he tries to keep up, but he has difficulties with his balance. We purchased a 3-wheel bike a couple summers ago for him keep up and ride with her. We would like for him to eventually learn on a 2-wheel bike!”

*UPDATE! After two months with his new bike, Jamie is already riding in his neighbourhood! Watch here.

With huge thanks to 365 International Sport Foundation, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Our Cityride, we are overjoyed to give both Susan and Robert’s family the opportunity to stay active in their community with their brand new Norco bikes.

Both families will be on hand at Our Cityride this Saturday to receive their new rides. Join them at David Lam Park for a free family-friendly festival, featuring food, games and entertainment!

And if you’re interested in participating in the ride, it’s not too late to sign up! Children and youth under 18 ride free, while adults can register for a low cost of $20.

Learn more at ourcityride.com!

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Oct 6, 2017

“As a student-athlete, I recognize that I am extremely fortunate for all the enjoyable experiences I have had playing sports in my life. I want to do what I can to help children with autism gain some of these lifelong memories too.”

When Kyle McComb joined the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) as a volunteer this past June, he shared these incredibly inspiring words with us.

It is no surprise that after a summer supporting our Multisport and I CAN Bike day camps, he is our selection for CAN’s Exceptional Volunteer Award!

At the end of each season, we choose one volunteer who has truly gone above and beyond in their support for both staff and participants within our programs. A varsity baseball player for UBC, Kyle combined a clear passion for sports and giving back to his community to completely blow our staff away this summer.

Daily briefs with program staff consistently highlighted Kyle’s enthusiasm and natural ability to engage the kids:

“Kyle used clear language and always modeled for the participants what he needed them to do – showing the skills, in addition to telling.”

“He jumped right in! His energy is fabulous.” 

“Kyle jumped in as a coach and did amazingly well leading the entire softball station! In addition to demonstrating the skills with clear and simple instructions, he made sure to use our visual toolkit with the group as well!”

For more tips on engaging individuals with autism in a sports and rec environments, please visit our Helpful Resources webpage!

This Fall, Kyle returns to his busy schedule at UBC as a student-athlete. But as soon as his availability allows, he looks forward to continuing to make a difference in his new staff role as a CAN support worker.

For our participants to have athletes like Kyle to look up to is such an incredible benefit to our programs. Kyle’s genuine enthusiasm for making a difference in his community is representative of so many of the volunteers that CAN is lucky to have.

Each year, we benefit from over 600 volunteers that compassionately and generously donate their time. Whether it’s handing out CAN bracelets at a community info table or demonstrating the perfect swing of a bat in our Multisport program, we could not do what we do without volunteers like Kyle.

A huge thanks to Kyle and every CAN volunteer that makes our programs possible.

For more information on volunteering with the Canucks Autism Network, please visit our Become a Volunteer webpage!

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Aug 16, 2017

Like so many skills taught in Canucks Autism Network (CAN) programs, the ability to ride a bike can open up a range of opportunities for a child.

Whether it’s riding around the neighbourhood with your family, exploring the sea wall with friends or cycling to stay fit, biking can play an important part in an active and social lifestyle.

But before a child can begin to enjoy a lifetime of experiences on their bike, they are faced with that initial hurdle of learning to ride.

Coordinating one foot to push in front of the other. Finding that perfect centre of gravity. Turning the handlebars to avoid obstacles. All while trying to follow verbal instructions and trying not to fall down.

For a child with autism faced with deficits in social communication and behavior, as well as potential motor difficulties, it can be an overwhelming experience.

Earlier this month, we invited CAN families to share their child’s experience with biking in exchange for a chance to win one of two Norco bikes. With huge thanks to the 365 International Sport Foundation, in partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the two bikes were generously donated in anticipation of Our Cityride on Saturday, August 19 – a community bike ride in Vancouver that CAN is excited to be a charity partner for.

Among the many entries, CAN parent Fion Lo recounted the barriers that her 9-year-old son faced when first trying to ride a bike at home.

“In addition to the challenges of his diagnosis, Marcus lacked confidence and was easily discouraged by setbacks. And between therapy sessions and doctor’s appointments, it was difficult simply finding the time to teach him.”

It wasn’t until Fion enrolled her son in CAN’s summer bike program that she began to see progress.

“The bike camps didn’t just focus on instruction – they were fun! He really fed off of the staff and volunteers’ enthusiasm and it was motivating for him to learn alongside other kids his own age. Marcus attended the bike camp two years in a row. By the end of the last camp, he could balance on the bike and ride around the track entirely by himself.”

What started at CAN has gradually impacted Marcus’ experiences in other areas of his life.

“This past June, Marcus began bringing his bike to school,” Fion continued. “With the skills he learned at CAN, he would bike around the track with all of his classmates cheering him on. Marcus does not usually get this level of positive attention at school, but biking has helped him with his confidence and relationships with his peers. Outside of school, Marcus and his dad will bike around the neighbourhood after dinner, spending precious time bonding with each other. Without the foundation that began at CAN’s bike camp, Marcus may still be using his training wheels. Thanks to CAN’s staff and volunteers, Marcus now has an achievement he is proud to show off to anybody that will watch!”

After filtering through countless stories like Fion’s, the Canucks Autism Network, 365 International Sport Foundation and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are thrilled to be providing Marcus with a brand new Norco bike!

For a child to take skills learned at CAN into the community is what our programs are all about. We encourage anyone within the CAN family to come out to Our Cityride in Vancouver on Saturday, August 19! Join thousands for a scenic community bike ride through Downtown or enjoy the festival grounds at David Lam Park. Visit ourcityride.com for more details!

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Marcus receiving his new bike, alongside the contest’s second winner, Avery, at Our Cityride on August 19, 2017.