keara farnan Archives - Canucks Autism Network

June 4, 2020

Keara Farnan is a CAN participant, volunteer and regular guest writer, who shared with us her experience accessing CAN virtual programs during COVID-19.

Over the past couple of months, I have taken part in Canucks Autism Network (CAN)’s virtual programs for youth and adults. These have included Netflix Parties, Zoom meet ups and live fitness classes. It has been a great way to interact with others and feel part of the CAN community during this difficult time.

Continuing to participate with CAN has helped me feel a sense of belonging and decreased my feelings of social isolation, anxiety and depression.

I’ve discovered common interests among other participants and connected with a few individuals outside of virtual programs as well.

Netflix Watch Parties

One of the movies we’ve watched is Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. The chatroom function allowed us to talk about the movie while it was playing. It was a great way to feel more included.

Discussing the movie allowed us to share our perspectives, answer trivia questions, and even play a game of movie bingo.

Even though we weren’t watching together in-person, it still felt as though we were connected. I like being able to discuss the movie with others as opposed to just watching by myself at home.

Adults with autism can be particularly vulnerable to social isolation and mental health issues, like depression & anxiety.

The suspension of services can be disproportionately challenging for them. The situation only gets harder when they live alone.

Zoom Meet Ups

The first Zoom Meet Up I took part in consisted of myself and about 15 other people, a mix of both staff and participants. I noticed some familiar faces and it was great to meet new participants and staff who I have never met before as well.

We started with introductions, followed by a picture guessing game, and a scavenger hunt. CAN participants were able to share whether or not they enjoyed the Zoom Meet Up and what changes they would like to see in the future.

I really enjoyed meeting new participants and staff, as well as trying out new activities. It’s a great way to get together as a group all in one place at the same time while maintaining social distancing.

Our online programs for youth and adults with autism are designed to build social connection, routine, and physical and mental health.

Trying out new apps like Zoom has definitely helped me become more familiar with online platforms. I feel more confident participating in more virtual meetups and connecting with others online now.

Zoom Fitness

Last month, I had the chance to participate in CAN’s first online fitness class. As someone who actively exercises and likes to stay in shape, it was a great way to bond with my peers, while maintaining my fitness.

The instructor showed us how to do squats, jumping jacks, and “mountain climbers”, followed by stretches, which are important to do after any physical activity.

The exercise class has been my favourite out of all three CAN virtual programs so far. I find that working out helps me stay calm if I’m stressed out or feeling anxious.

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Participating in CAN’s online programs has allowed me to practice my social skills while doing fun activities, rather than sitting at home alone and further isolating myself.

Help us continue to deliver our vital online programs. They’re needed now more than ever.

My wish is that eventually things will soon go back to normal, and that we all will be reunited in person. I cannot wait to participate and volunteer in CAN programs in person once this virus is gone.

In the meantime, CAN’s online programs have given me something to look forward to every day while COVID-19 continues.

-Keara Farnan, CAN participant & volunteer

CAN online programs are needed now more than ever. With help from generous contributors like you, we can continue to support our community virtually during this difficult time.

April 10, 2020

Keara is a CAN participant, volunteer & regular contributor on our blog! Last month, she shared her initial experience coping with change during COVID-19. Today, she shares one of her favourite recipes to whip up at home!

I’ve been cooking and baking for most of my life. It’s a really good way to relax and de-stress. I’m able to utilize certain ingredients and create delicious dishes that my family and friends love. A couple of my favourites are ginger snap cookies and sausage and chicken with fire roasted tomatoes, onion, and garlic seasoning.

I grew up cooking and baking with my parents and love helping out in the kitchen at home. I’ve always been fascinated with how certain foods are made. I’ve tried to make bread in the past, but it didn’t work out for me. One of my goals is to make pasta from scratch, because I love Italian food and a friend told me that she once enjoyed making it.

Keara (seventh from the left) assisting with meal prep at Rogers Arena as part of the CAN Explore Volunteering program.

I want to share some recipes with the CAN community as I would like to inspire other people to cook. Food is a big passion of mine. Making up my own recipes with the ingredients in my home is fun and educational. I become a better chef with each dish I make.

The CAN program and office staff have enjoyed my baking in the past, so I’m sure others involved with CAN would enjoy learning this home cooked dish – fit for three to four people.

Easy Tomato Dish with Sausage and Chicken

Serves 3 to 4

Fast and simple dish with tomato, sausage, chicken, vegetables, and herbs ideal for a family dinner.

Ingredients:

2 mild Italian sausages cut into 1 inch pieces
2-3 chicken breasts (trim off fat before placing in dish)
½ onion (I use purple onion because it’s milder)
2 tbsp olive oil (enough to cover the bottom of the dish)
1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
1 can of crushed tomatoes with herbs
½ tsp of salt
½ ground pepper
2 garlic cloves / or garlic plus seasoning (available at Costco)
1 bell pepper (any colour)
Optional: small package of potatoes

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 F before you start prepping your dish.
Carefully cut up onions followed by garlic and the bell pepper, then place them in a deep dish (preferably a casserole dish) with 2 tbsp olive oil.
Add chicken and sausage.
Gently add the spices and salt & pepper followed by the 2 cans of tomatoes (add a small amount cut once in half if desired).
Cook dish up to 1 hour or more depending on the type of oven you have. Keep lip on or cover with aluminum foil.
Take the dish out after one hour to check the meat. If it’s not cooked through, give it another 10-15 minutes.

Once completed, Keara served her tomato, chicken and sausage with a scoop of rice!

CAN and Keara would love to hear what recipes you’re enjoying making at home while self-isolating! Visit our Facebook or Instagram post and share your favourite dishes in the comments.

Additional Reading

Keara Farnan: My experience coping during COVID-19

CAN youth & adults learn to cook with Coast Mental Health [Facebook]

Learn more about CAN Youth & Adult programming

CAN youth & adult members take the lead

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Mar 27, 2020

My name is Keara Farnan and I wanted to share my experience during the coronavirus pandemic.

I first heard about the coronavirus at the end of 2019, but never thought it would become a serious health crisis. I have become very bored with little to do at home. I’m still managing to stay in contact with my friends and my parents who live in Oliver.

But I feel very disengaged and isolated from society.

I go for walks after breakfast to get groceries and I notice people having to wait in line in to enter. When I walk through the grocery store, I notice most of the stock is missing. And there are signs indicating there is a limit to how many cans of soup customers are allowed to purchase.

Read Keara’s first guest blog with CAN, My life with autism.

I look around me and I see multiple people wearing face masks and gloves and trying to distance themselves from each other. I feel a sense of urgency; I’m not sure if I will be able to get the food I need to survive the next few weeks of this pandemic. The suspense makes me even more nervous.

As I approach the checkout, I notice large pieces of pink tape on the ground and one of the staff tells me to keep my distance. But, I’m not sure what they mean exactly because they didn’t tell me how many metres I need to keep from another customer. I feel panicked as I question if going to the grocery store was even a good idea to begin with.

I do not cope well with sudden changes and I become very grumpy if I’m on my own for long periods of time. My parents have always encouraged me to be more social and interact with my peers. Although, now is certainly not the time to be socially gathering with other people.

I’m stuck between wanting to be social and wanting to remain in self-isolation.

My work is closed, so I won’t be leaving home, except maybe to go to the grocery store or grab a coffee at a café nearby. I feel trapped inside the walls of my apartment as I stare out the window across and look at the other apartment building. It’s like the walls are closing in on me and I don’t like that feeling at all.

I wonder if my neighbours are experiencing the same kind of stress I am, and if other people would understand if I were to explain how I feel about the COVID-19 pandemic. No one really explained to me how serious the coronavirus is. I had to do my own research. And watching the news on TV or reading online articles about COVID-19 is rather disturbing.

I don’t want to think about the coronavirus pandemic anymore. I don’t want to have to stay inside my apartment for what feels like a century.

Living independently on the North Shore, I have had to adapt to manage certain tasks alone, like grocery shopping, budgeting, and doing laundry. I usually go to the gym and work out when I am bored. But unfortunately I do not have that option at the moment.

I’ve been going for walks around the track at Fen Burdett Stadium, which is very close to Carson Graham Secondary.

Physical activity is important to me because it helps me de-stress and also stay in shape.

When I am at home, I like to watch TV, write, bake, and hang out with my cat Maggie. Pets are a great companion for individuals on the spectrum because they provide support and are always there for you when you need a friend.

As a young woman on the autism spectrum, I’m struggling to understand the importance of self-isolation and the effects that the coronavirus may have on those with a disability.

I highly encourage autistic individuals to research COVID-19 online or with their parents to find out more information.

From CAN: ACT-Autism Community Training has a great list of resources for youth & adults with autism to increase their understanding of COVID-19. View here.

Another thing that has really helped me stay calm is watching Netflix and cooking. While it can be hard, you should limit your in-person interactions.

If a friend asks to meet with you in person, you can suggest connecting over the phone or meeting through an online platform instead.

As the rate of coronavirus cases in BC increases, I am becoming even more concerned about the potential of a full lockdown, and the impact it may have on my involvement in Canucks Autism Network (CAN) programs.

Keara in our rock climbing program last year. Read her program testimonial *Climbing new heights*!

I first joined CAN in 2011 and it has always been a safe place for me to go to where I feel like I belong and fit in. I am very fortunate to be involved with CAN and look forward to future events and programs once the coronavirus passes.

They provide, not only myself, but thousands of other individuals with autism the opportunity to participate in safe, fun, and enjoyable programs — free of judgement or criticism.

I have been staying up-to-date on news from CAN by regularly checking my inbox and their social media platforms, (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), or by reading the monthly CAN newsletter.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the spread of COVID-19 decreases and CAN programs and events are able to resume without further disruption or health precautions.

-Keara Farnan

How CAN is here to help.

We are closely aware of the need for our youth and adult participants, like Keara, to stay connected while respecting the obligations of social distancing.

Our program team is busily working on new ways for our youth and adult participants to stay in touch with CAN and each other!

Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we announce new initiatives, like virtual meetings, video activities to follow along with at home, a youth and adult newsletter and more. We are excited to stay connected!

Questions? Email CAN’s Navigator of Youth and Adult Services Sarah Armstrong at sarah.armstrong@canucksautism.ca.

Additional resources

Stay up-to-date on CAN program and event announcements at canucksautism.ca/health, our member newsletter and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIN).

For COVID-19 updates and recommendations from provincial health authorities, please visit: bccdc.ca.

We would also like to remind everyone to take care of their mental health. If you are in a crisis, please reach out to Crisis Services Canada – 1-833-456-4566. For additional resources, please visit: foundrybc.ca

Finally, ACT-Autism Community Training has a great list of resources for youth & adults with autism to increase their understanding of COVID-19. View here.

Additional reading

Keara Farnan: My life with autism”
Keara Farnan: Climbing new heights with CAN
Nate Keller: What I want you to know about autism

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Aug 2, 2018

By Keara Farnan

As a 22-year-old woman on the autism spectrum, I have certainly faced extremely challenging situations throughout my life and still continue to.

I live with significant social anxiety and depression. I’m not the most confident person, so trying to lead a normal social life is a challenge. Making conversation is quite difficult for me as I’m never sure how to approach new people. Growing up, I was rejected by many individuals who did not care to understand what having autism meant. I lived in a state of constant distress and agitation – often hanging out alone and waiting for the phone to ring.

Excluded by my peers, I questioned my self-worth and whether it was okay to have autism. However, over time, I have learned to appreciate who I am. Someone once told me, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.” And I believe this to be very true.

In addition to improving my self-image, I’ve learned that I can also help manage my anxiety by doing the things I love. For me, these things include writing, working out and being a part of the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) community.

I’ve been a CAN participant since 2011 and even began volunteering for the organization a few years later. CAN is my safe place, because I’m free to be whoever I choose and everyone accepts me for who I am.

One of my most cherished memories is the first time I went to CAN Overnight Camp in the summer of 2016. I was quite nervous to be away from home, especially since there were many CAN participants I didn’t know very well. But paired with an extremely understanding support worker for the entire weekend, I felt so at ease. She was kind and non-judgemental about the social anxiety that I struggled with. With her support, Overnight Camp was among the most memorable experience of my life. The weekend was packed with activities, but my favourites were archery and making paracord bracelets.

A female support worker and young adult female camper sit together while making paracord bracelets.

While Overnight Camp has given me a weekend that I can fondly look back at, CAN’s year-round social programs have provided me with a regular way to stay involved. In North Vancouver, the Weekly Social Group allows me to get to know CAN staff, volunteers and participants over the course of 6 weeks in the Fall, Winter and Spring. By meeting weekly with the same group of young adults, I feel more confident in building rapport and developing healthy relationships. Playing games like Family Feud gives me an opportunity to get to know other participants and practice my social skills.

Most importantly, having fun with other young adults with autism has helped me to see that I am not alone – it’s wonderful to see that there are others who share my struggles. Though our challenges may differ, we all have autism in common.

In addition to being involved as a participant, CAN has also given me the opportunity to volunteer at their community and family events. As I continue to mature into adulthood, I want to find more ways to incorporate CAN into my life. By volunteering at events like Family Concerts, Party in the Park and Easter Tea House in Stanley Park, I can also give back.

I see a huge difference in myself since joining CAN seven years ago. I’m more responsible and open to conversation with others who share my diagnosis. I’ve made friends who I spend time with outside of CAN. Forming friendships outside of CAN still startles me, but I realize that if I avoid social interaction altogether, I’ll only delve deeper into my anxiety, instead of overcoming it.

Two female youth sit together while crafting.

Through a lifetime of experience, I’ve become naturally distrusting of others. But because CAN’s staff and volunteers have been patient with me, I’ve learned to open up and engage others in conversation more and more.

My experiences at CAN have helped me go out of my comfort zone to do the things I love in my community. Exercise helps me feel calm and release anxiety. Since 2015, I’ve been working our regularly at Club 16 in North Vancouver. The staff there accept me for who I am in the same way that CAN staff and volunteers do. They treat me no differently than any other member, which is the kind of respect I wish more people would show me.

I realize that my life is always going to be a challenge, because having autism isn’t easy. There’s never a day where I don’t experience challenges and setbacks – and wish to be a neurotypical girl. I may have trouble making friends, developing romantic relationships, and finding a job. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up.

I yearn for acceptance from others who do not understand autism, but I’ve learned that I’m not able to control how others perceive me or treat me – only how I view myself.

I wanted to share my story because above all, I find strength in writing. It helps me let go of negative thoughts. And I find great importance in being able to properly convey my experience – and it’s much easier for me to write than to speak with others. Words are powerful.

I have been recently published on numerous occasions in The Mighty, an online community for individuals with disabilities. My articles have addressed my challenges trusting others, making friends and my sensitivity to touch.

I am currently working on several other pieces, including the challenges of dating, and aspire to write a memoir detailing my experiences as a woman with autism. Through my writing, I hope to inspire others to tell their story and speak openly about their challenges.

I can’t wait to share it with the CAN community.

Later this month, Keara will be participating in the CAN Youth & Young Adult Advisory Group’s first meeting to discuss the future of our programming for participants aged 13+. If you are a youth or young adult CAN member and would like to participate, find more details and RSVP on our online form!

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