Tag: rock climbing

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by Sarah Russell, CAN participant & staff

I think I always knew that I was different.

For so many years, I carried around this feeling of inadequacy without really knowing why.

When I found out about my autism diagnosis as an adult, it was the most validating information that I could have ever heard.

I was finally able to let go of the weight I’d been carrying and the pressure I’d been putting on myself my whole life. What I used to think of as inadequacies were actually just different ways of experiencing the world.

My name is Sarah Russell. Since 2015, I’ve been working with Canucks Autism Network (CAN) as a Support Worker, Coach, Onsite Supervisor, and Learning Facilitator. And in 2021, I learned of my diagnosis and joined as a Participant.

I began supporting CAN participants before knowing I was on the spectrum. Even then, I always knew that I could be myself at CAN programs.

My involvement with CAN first started when I was working through a partnered program in Victoria called PISE. PISE was looking to accommodate beyond physical disabilities and CAN was looking to expand on the Island.

I kind of fell into the role of CAN Coach, and once I started, I was hooked. I just loved helping participants develop their sports skills so they could ultimately access community programs or school programs or just keep up with their neurotypical peers on the playground.

Since starting at CAN, I’ve held various roles and find them all equally rewarding in their own way.

As a CAN Support Worker, it’s so fun to get to run around with the kids and get big silly reactions out of them, while also being the person who can help them integrate into new situations. I know how hard that can be because I struggled with it my whole life.

For so long, I felt like I had to hide my feelings and authentic experience just to fit in. Autistic people call this masking. When masking, you’re trying to present yourself in a typical way while suppressing your real feelings and experience. It’s upsetting, overwhelming, and uncomfortable.

For so many years, I was supporting CAN participants without knowing that I, myself, was on the autism spectrum. One of the most liberating things about becoming a CAN participant was knowing that I could leave my mask at the door.

I knew from my experience as CAN Staff that I’d be in a safe space where I could just be my authentic Autistic self.

Even when I’m having a hard day, I know I’m going to be supported. I know I’m going to feel heard. And I know I am going to be welcomed as I am.

Being Autistic, you’re already in a marginalized group. Those who identify as female are marginalized even further. So for me, having an opportunity at CAN like the Women’s Peer Support Group is so important because it creates a safe space for us to feel heard and included. We get to come together monthly to share our similar experiences while supporting and validating each other.

When you’re a person on the spectrum who has low support needs, it actually limits the number of resources that you’re able to access in the community.

CAN is really the only organization that I’m able to access.

If it weren’t for CAN, I wouldn’t be able to go the gym or be a part of social activities like bowling or rock climbing because the facilities are too loud and overstimulating. The experience itself wouldn’t even be enjoyable because I’d be forced to push so hard just to be in that space.

Because of CAN, I’m able to access community activities, be physically active, be social with my friends, and even make new friends.

When I think about it, my favourite thing about CAN is that it’s essentially home.

The people who work at CAN are like an extension of my family. Whether I go to a CAN program or event as a staff or a participant, I feel like I can let go of everything and just be myself.

It’s really the most comfortable and welcoming place that you could ever be.

More CAN Stories

https://www.canucksautismnetwork2024-070224.local/blog/breaking-barriers-from-can-to-chilliwack-minor-hockey/

https://www.canucksautismnetwork2024-070224.local/blog/can-removes-diagnosis-barrier-to-program-access-for-youth-and-adults/

https://www.canucksautismnetwork2024-070224.local/blog/why-i-celebrate-autism-acceptance/

https://www.canucksautismnetwork2024-070224.local/blog/nate-keller/

May 6, 2019

This past Winter, I took part in the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) Indoor Rock Climbing program. Held at Climb Base5 in North Vancouver, I met many youth and young adults with autism.

I had rock climbed in the past. Yet, this program really gave me the opportunity to master my rock climbing and social skills in an adaptive environment where I could grow and flourish with the support of the CAN staff and volunteers.

At the beginning, I was a little scared to participate in the program, as I had not climbed in quite a few years. For the first few sessions, I only went halfway up the climbing wall and refused to boulder. My intuition told me that it may be unsafe to climb. It took me a while to become familiar with all of the climbing courses.

I certainly have struggled to maintain good physical and mental health, so I try to be a fairly active person and work out at the gym regularly. My workouts at the gym are nothing like my experience in the rock climbing program.

Rock climbing is much more engaging for me, especially because I got to climb beside other participants. Whereas, at the gym I mostly exercise alone and stick to my individual routine.

Mingling amongst a large group of people isn’t an easy task for me due to my lack of social skills. However, as soon as I became more familiar with the staff, volunteers, and participants, I felt more comfortable socializing and engaging in activities.

In the first few weeks, I climbed multiple circuits. Yet, I still did not feel comfortable climbing to the top. My fear of heights kicked in. I was worried about getting stuck at the top and not being able to come back down.

The CAN staff were nothing but patient and encouraged me to persevere. They did not rush me or demand me to climb higher than I wanted. They were my biggest cheerleaders each week.

Funded by MEC, the program featured staff from CAN & Power To Be. Before the program began, rock climbing instructors received autism training from both CAN & Power To Be.

READ MORE: MEC, Canucks Autism Network and Power To Be host adaptive climbing workshop

Each time I got scared and began to climb down, the staff continued to encourage me.

I felt extremely out of my comfort zone. Climbing up the walls felt foreign. I had to figure out which holds would be easiest to grip onto and which ones were exclusively meant for climbing with my feet.

It wasn’t until the very last session of rock climbing that I made it to the top of a more advanced obstacle.

I was so proud and excited. My heart was filled with joy and I remember looking down to the staff as they cheered.

I felt very touched by everyone’s support and words of encouragement. Having their support during the program meant a lot. It showed that they cared and really wanted me to push myself harder to accomplish my goal of reaching the top of the climbing wall.

At the end of the last session, I was very fortunate to have MEC donate the climbing gear that I used during the program.

Although the rock climbing program ended just a few short weeks ago, I have plans to go rock climbing again one day with a friend.

As I continue to grow and learn, my mind always goes back to the successes. It is experiences like these where I have felt most comfortable, because I was in a safe environment with non-judgemental individuals. This means a lot to me because as an young autistic woman, I am constantly faced with unfair criticism, mostly from those who do not know much about autism.

CAN has been a major aspect of my life since joining as a young teenager. I’m thrilled to have found another place to call home and for the opportunity to meet other persons with autism similar or different from myself.

I feel more challenged to continue climbing outside of the rock climbing program. In the future, I’d like to try more advanced courses and explore bouldering.

I would like to thank CAN, Power To Be and MEC for the opportunity to rock climb. I now believe that no obstacles are too hard to reach and if I continue to push past my struggles, I can achieve almost anything.

I have gained a great deal of confidence. I’m hopeful and excited to participate in more CAN programs where I can hone more of these skills.

LEARN MORE: CAN programs for youth & young adults

RELATED: “My life with autism” by Keara Farnan

RETURN TO BLOG HOME

Nov 5, 2018

As we prepare for the 2019 Winter season (Jan-Mar), we have some program changes to announce:

I CAN Play Sports is now called “Multisport”
The I CAN Play Sports program (also known as “Sports” or “Gym” program) for ages 7-12 is now known as Multisport. This will be reflected in the Winter Program Guide and in the registration system.

Cowichan Valley: Skate & Swim will not be offered
Due to ongoing staffing challenges, we will not be running the skate or swim program in the Duncan area for the winter session. Active (3-6yrs) and Multisport (7-12yrs) will be running in the community.

Kelowna: Gymnastics

We are excited to provide the Gymnastics program in partnership with the Okanagan Gymnastics Centre. Please stay tuned for the announcement of the date and time of the program.

Edmonds Swim will be replaced by sessions at Jewish Community Centre and Eileen Daily

Since the Edmonds swim facility is undergoing maintenance during our winter term, we have added extra 3-6yrs, 7-12yrs, and 13+yrs sessions at Jewish Community Centre in Vancouver, and 3-6yrs sessions at Eileen Daily in Burnaby.

North Vancouver: Weekly Youth and Young Adult Program will be replaced with Indoor Rock Climbing

Thanks to generous funding support from Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), CAN will be introducing a weekly rock climbing program in January 2019 for youth and young adult members. In partnership with Power To Be and Climb Base5 North Vancouver, participants will have the opportunity to learn to climb in a safe and supportive environment, meet new people and build their fitness. This program is intended for youth and young adults with an interest in climbing who would like to continue the activity on their own or with friends and family after participating in the CAN program.

Vancouver: Explore Volunteering for youth and adults will replace CommunityWorks Canada®

The Explore Volunteering program provides opportunities for youth and  adults with autism to sample volunteer tasks in a variety of community settings. The program encourages community engagement alongside peers while developing volunteer experience, work skills, and communication and social skills. This program will be taking the place of the CommunityWorks Canada® program which ends in December 2018.  P

Online registration for Winter 2019 Weekly Program Registration opens Monday, November 19, at noon, and closes Friday, November 23, at noon.

Become a member to access programs.