As a mother, I will never give up on my child. As a mother of a child who has autism, I will never give up hope.
I look into his eyes and I see all the potential that he has to offer to this beautiful world and I just know that one day the world can see what I see.

Follow my blog as I share my life and my experiences as a person who loves someone with autism.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

First Ever Bikers For Autism Festival

Today marked the first ever Bikers For Autism (BFA) Festival, presented by Barnes Harley Davidson, as a kick-off to Bikers For Autism’s two-week charity ride to California. We had the honour of being part of it!

Bikers For Autism started as a passionate father and son team (John and James Baker) that strive to make a difference in the lives of children, adults, and families across Canada affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Inspired by a close family member’s journey to raise their six-year old son diagnosed with autism and driven by the chance to fulfill a life long dream of riding across the country on Harleys, Bikers For Autism set out on a 43 day mission in 2012 to spread their message of awareness across an entire country. Backed by the support of Autism Speaks Canada, Barnes Harley Davidson, Lords Of Gastown, Music Heals, and Red Truck Brewery, these two Bikers were able to make a far bigger impact then they ever thought possible.

Extremely huge thanks to James Baker, founder of Bikers for Autism, for having us at his event. We blew bubbles and sold our bubble blowers with partial proceeds benefiting Bikers for Autism and we were very happy to be a part of James journey!

Festivities for today’s event included incredible bands, pig-roast, skateboarding demo, on-site vendors, silent auction, tattoo parlour, barber shop, children’s games and entertainment, face painting, bike detailing, special appearances by Darth Vader of the 501st Legion, Andrew the Crazy Canuck and Kyle Banta, along with representation and full resources from several local autism service providers and children’s charities. Proceeds raised from the event went towards making a difference in the lives of children, adults and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia.

We’d like to give a huge shout out and thank you to our two friends, Andrew the Crazy Canuck and Kyle Banta, for their continued support and helping us blow bubbles for everyone.

We’d also like to thank Sandra and her son, Justin of Jr Media Group - Justin Ruscheinski Photography, for their support as well and beautiful hearts promoting autism awareness, oh and blowing bubbles with us, too!

We had a blast blowing bubbles for everyone and hope everyone enjoyed our bubbles!

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Friday, August 23, 2013

Bikers for #Autism BFA Festival

Join us on Sunday, August 25th, 2013 for Bikers for Autism (BFA) first ever BFA Festival, presented by Barnes Harley Davidson as a kick-off to Bikers For Autism’s two-week charity ride to California. All proceeds raised will go towards making a difference in the lives of children, adults and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder in British Columbia.

We will be blowing bubbles and selling our bubble blowers with partial proceeds benefiting Bikers for Autism.

Bikers For Autism Festival 2013 Flyer

Bikers for Autism and Barnes Harley Davidson welcomes 99.3 The Fox to present Head of the Herd and special guests Sadie Campbell, Tonye Aganaba and The Foundation at the Barnes Harley-Davidson dealership located at 8859 201st Street in Langley, BC starting at 11:00 a.m. Festivities will include a pig-roast, skateboarding demo, on-site vendors, silent auction, tattoo parlour, barber shop, children’s games/entertainment, face painting, bike detailing along with representation and full resources from several local autism service providers and children’s charities, and of course, bubbles!

“We are more than thrilled to be partnering with Barnes Harley-Davidson for the biggest event so far in Bikers for Autism’s history. This will make a huge difference for families living with autism in BC,” James Baker, BFA founder. 

Bikers For Autism started as a passionate father and son team (John & James Baker) that strive to make a difference in the lives of children, adults and families across Canada affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Inspired by a close family member’s journey to raise their six-year old son diagnosed with autism and driven by the chance to fulfill a life long dream of riding across the country on Harleys. Bikers For Autism set out on a 43 day mission in 2012 to spread their message of awareness across an entire country. Backed by the support of Autism Speaks Canada, Barnes Harley Davidson, Lords Of Gastown, Music Heals, and Red Truck Brewery these two Bikers were able to make a far bigger impact then they ever thought possible.

1 in every 88 children born in Canada and the USA are affected by some form of Autism. This year, immediately following BFA Fest at 4:30 pm join the team of 5 Bikers For Autism for a ride out to the Peace Arch Border Crossing via VPD Drill Team escort as BFA sets out on a 2 week ride for awareness to California.

For more information on Bikes for Autism: www.BikesForAutism.com

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Have a great Marpole Day!

Today we teamed up with Choices Markets, Western Canada’s largest retailer of natural and organic food, and blew bubbles and sold our bubble blowers at their booth at Connecting Marpole Day to help raise autism awareness and funds for Autism Speaks Canada.

Choices Markets partnered up with Autism Speaks Canada and hosted a 12 day “Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece Campaign” in its Greater Vancouver Area stores to raise funds for Autism Speaks Canada. During the campaign, customers could purchase Autism Speaks Canada puzzle pieces in-store at the checkout for $1.00, with all proceeds benefiting the 6th Annual Vancouver Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event, which takes place on September 29th, 2013 at Stanley Park.

To help raise additional funds, Choices Markets hosted a series of barbeques today at their Vancouver and Kelowna locations, with the exception of their Kerrisdale location, which participated at Connecting Marpole Day in lieu of the barbeque.

Connecting Marpole Day celebrates multicultural, intergenerational, and artistic diversity in the community.

Local musicians and entertainers performed throughout the day and their were some activities for kids, and of course, bubbles!

We’d like to thank Marpole Place Neighbourhood for inviting us into their community! We’d also like to thank Choices Markets for having us and letting us blow bubbles and sell our bubble blowers to promote autism awareness!

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya

Friday, August 9, 2013

Connecting Marpole Day

Tomorrow we will team up with Choices Markets, Western Canada’s largest retailer of natural and organic food, and blow bubbles and sell our bubble blowers at their booth at Connecting Marpole Day to help raise autism awareness and funds for Autism Speaks Canada.

Feel free to come by and check out our booth!

When: Saturday, August 10th, 2013 - 11am to 3pm – Rain or shine
Where: 70th & Hudson Street, Vancouver (Kerrisdale)

Connecting Marpole Day 2013

Choices Markets partnered up with Autism Speaks Canada and hosted a 12 day “Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece Campaign” in its Greater Vancouver Area stores to raise funds for Autism Speaks Canada. During the campaign, customers could purchase Autism Speaks Canada puzzle pieces in-store at the checkout for $1.00, with all proceeds benefiting the 6th Annual Vancouver Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event, which takes place on September 29th, 2013 at Stanley Park.

To help raise additional funds, Choices Markets will be hosting a series of barbeques tomorrow at their Vancouver and Kelowna locations, with the exception of their Kerrisdale location, which will be participating in Connecting Marpole Day in lieu of the barbeque. Visit Choices Markets to find a store near you.

Connecting Marpole Day celebrates multicultural, intergenerational, and artistic diversity in the community. Local musicians and entertainers will perform throughout the day and their will be some activities for kids, and of course, bubbles!

Hope to see you there!

For more information about this event, please follow Marpole Place Neighbourhood House on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,
Tanaya