Tag: sports

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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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Jun 18, 2019

Jack is 9. He has been a Canucks Autism Network participant for six of those years.

During that time, he has learned to swim, play soccer and do gymnastics, while also enjoying summer camp and family events. More recently, he has donated his own chore money and bake sale profits to CAN. Why?

“So more kids like me can have opportunities to learn and experience new things.”

So when World Autism Month approached this past April, he asked his teacher at École Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary in New Westminster if he could speak to his class. Jack wanted to educate his classmates about autism. And ask them to give back and donate, like he did.

Wow.

His teacher went straight to the principal and asked if they could hold a school-wide assembly instead so that he could reach as many students as possible.

Jack is among several students with autism at his school — some of whom struggle to attend assemblies due to sensory sensitivities. When those students heard that Jack was speaking, they eagerly sat and listened to his entire speech.

When he was done speaking, teachers asked the students what they learned about autism. A sea of hands were raised. The best answer?

“They make good friends!”

Jack’s mom was on hand to see his special moment. “There were tears,” she told us. “Jack was aiming for awareness and acceptance. Mission accomplished.”

This was his speech:

Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder. It means it affects brain development. Autism affects 1 in 66 children in Canada.

Someone with autism can have challenges with social interactions, communication and can have repetitive behaviour. It is not contagious. You are born with it. There is no cure, but there are studies to find out what causes it and how to help people with autism.

I was diagnosed with autism when I was 2 ½ years old. For me, having autism means I do things differently from others. I like to arrange my food and dishes in a certain way when I eat.

Jack and his family at our annual Festival of Lights at Van Dusen Gardens

My brain sometimes takes a while to understand what is said to me. That is why I don’t respond right away when someone is talking to me. I need extra help and time between activities. I forget instructions if there are too many steps to follow.

But I have a good memory when it comes to music or songs. I can teach myself to play a song on the piano just by trying out the notes. I remember a lot of information about space and elements just from books I read.

When I was little, I liked to spin toys. I liked to run and follow the lines on the floor. I didn’t know how to play with others, but I learned to read when I was 2.

That is why I am raising awareness about autism and asking kids and teachers for $2 donations. The money will go to Canucks Autism Network. This organization helps kids and their families participate in programs in supportive environments. They also provide training in communities across BC.

I have benefited from their programs – I’ve participated in swimming, gymnastics, soccer, camp and family festivals. I would like to give back to them so more kids like me can have opportunities to learn and experience new things.

I also want to raise acceptance about autism. I want people to understand that if they see someone who is doing something that is unexpected, like flapping their arms — this is called stimming — or talking about the same thing over and over, there is nothing wrong with them.

Those with autism are just like anybody. We just think and do things differently. And we want to have friends too.

Thank you to everyone who donated! Thank you to CAN, who provided help for me. And most of all, thank you to my Mum and Dad.

As a young self-advocate, Jack has already educated hundreds of kids about inclusion, acceptance and support.

With young men like Jack leading the way, the future is so, so bright!

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Jan 8, 2019

FREE E-LEARNING MODULE LAUNCHES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BC PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

In an innovative effort to increase accessibility for individuals with autism in community recreation, Canucks Autism Network (CAN), in partnership with BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), has launched a free E-Learning Module for recreation providers across BC. Funded by the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD), the online resource represents an unprecedented collaborative effort among government, recreation, and the non-profit autism sector.

The one-hour online module outlines behaviours associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as effective strategies for supporting children and youth with autism in recreation settings. The interactive module also highlights interviews with experienced recreation leaders who have successfully implemented these strategies, which include communication tips, behavior support, and teaching tools. The E-Learning Module can be accessed at no cost at elearn.bcrpa.bc.ca or canucksautism.ca/recreation.

“Canucks Autism Network has been providing workshops to the recreation sector since 2012, and demand grows exponentially every year,” said Dr. Stephanie Jull, VP of Programs and Training at Canucks Autism Network. “This new online training module provides an exciting opportunity to spread knowledge and build capacity across BC and beyond, creating a positive impact for the thousands of families living with autism in our province.”

The project began after CAN successfully pitched the need for a widely-accessible online resource to the MCFD in 2017. With 1 in 66 Canadian children diagnosed with autism, and over 16,000 children and youth with autism in BC alone, MCFD recognized the growing need for community accessibility.

“All kids deserve the opportunity to participate in sports and other activities,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “I’m pleased that MCFD could collaborate with CAN and BCRPA to bring this specialized training to recreation providers so that they can provide the supports kids need to join in with their peers.”

Research shows that individuals with autism are far less likely to participate in community recreation than their typically-developing peers. Furthermore, research indicates that physical activity can increase attention and cognition while decreasing anxiety, among children and youth with autism.

“We are thrilled to be presenting this valuable E-learning module in partnership with CAN, said Rebecca Tunnacliffe, CEO of BCRPA. Our members who manage and work in recreation facilities across BC hold very highly the importance of creating a positive experience for all their participants. This module will directly assist staff to amplify their awareness of the needs of autistic individuals, and implement strategies to provide them with a positive experience so they will want to return again and again.”

Since 2012, CAN’s province-wide team of training facilitators has delivered hundreds of workshops to well over 10,000 individuals in the public sector across BC. In addition to supporting the sport and recreation sectors, CAN’s live training team builds capacity for first responders, education staff, and a variety community spaces including YVR, Science World, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

CAN is proud to unveil three online training resources for various sectors in January 2019. In addition to the launch of the E-Learning Module for recreation providers, CAN has also released an online training module for first responders and will be unveiling an online resource for sport coaches in late January.

For more information, or to book a live training workshop, please visit canucksautism.ca/training.

Dear Canucks Autism Network,

Since being diagnosed with autism at age 10, my son Mitchell has been a member of the CAN Hockey Program. This October marks his third season with the CAN Surrey Stingrays.

I have wanted to properly share my thoughts about CAN Hockey for some time now. From the coaches and volunteers to the unique dynamics and benefits of the program – each and every facet has been so fantastic.

But beyond the skill development and experience of playing hockey, this program has given us far more than we ever could have expected. At the tournament this past spring, I was struck by three experiences in particular that I wanted to share.

Mitchell (left) celebrates with teammates at their 2018 tournament in Kelowna.

The first was the genuine feeling of being a part of a TEAM.

Teamwork is a powerful thing. Something so many of these kids have been searching for. A place where they are actually a meaningful part of something bigger than themselves. A place where they belong. But the team doesn’t end with the kids. It extends to the families, which brings me to my second experience.

The undeniable support. And I don’t mean for the kids – CAN provides this in spades.  I mean between families.

Through practices, team fundraisers and time on the road, the Surrey Stingrays spend a great deal of time together. As a result, our guards are down, there is a comfort zone, and there is established trust. We have always shared the commonality of being parents of kids on the spectrum, but now we SHARE. We have become a support group for one another where we can speak freely and be more candid in our struggles than we might otherwise be.

And let’s not forget the siblings. Each player on the team has brothers and sisters who come out to watch them play. These sibling supporters have gotten to know each other too. And by doing so, they now have friends who truly understand what it is like to grow up with a sibling on the spectrum. Most importantly, they learn they are not alone. Like the parents, it is essentially another little support group.

The third scenario I witnessed at the tournament almost brought tears to my eyes.

After a shift, one of my son’s teammates returned to the bench visibly upset about something that had happened on the ice. From what I could tell, he was in full “shut down mode” and was going to require some focused intervention.

The MOST AWESOME part was that the intervention did not end up coming from the coaches or the volunteers. It came from the players, as a team. They all rallied around their dejected teammate, encouraged him, and turned the moment around. In an instant, the situation had been defused and the player was out on the ice for his next shift.

I cannot put into words what it is like to see my son be a part of a team like this. Mitchell always dreamed of playing hockey. In addition to making his dream come true, CAN has given him a second home where he feels welcomed and accepted.

CAN has given this to our entire family.

Gary and Mitchell Bryant at the Surrey Stingrays’ first practice of the 2018-19 season.

By offering CAN Hockey, you have created a very rare, very unique support group that has helped us in so many ways. Because Mitchell received a relatively late diagnosis, he missed out on a lot of intervention. We are still learning about what it means for him to have autism. Being able to share our experiences with families that we trust has been invaluable.

So when friends and family ask us what CAN hockey is all about – what the benefits are – I tell them this:

It is about 20 kids, desperate to belong, who have found a second home wearing the same jersey. It is about the irreplaceable community of support that every family member gets to be a part of. Beyond hockey, this program has a much deeper, far reaching impact than I could have ever expected.

This is something real special, folks. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Gary Bryant

Surrey Stingrays 2017-18 team (Mitchell fifth player from the left)

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