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Why I’m Running for CAN: A Story About Beau

This October, I’m running a half marathon in support of the Canucks Autism Network (CAN)—an organization that’s given us moments of peace in a journey that’s anything but easy.

Our son Beau was formally diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. We were fortunate—we had the means and the support to pursue a private assessment, which opened doors to funding and access to specialized care. But even with that privilege, things are still hard.

We don’t attend events without first thinking about how Beau will cope. We spend entire outings chasing our little eloper, navigating public stares when he becomes dysregulated—screaming or hitting in overwhelming environments like malls. We’ve faced discrimination from childcare providers who weren’t equipped to support neurodivergent kids. And many nights, we run on less than three hours of sleep before heading to work and doing it all again.

And yet—we’re lucky.

We have an incredible network of family and friends who step in when others won’t. Beau attends Aspire Preschool, where the staff see and support him in ways that make all the difference. He’s a happy boy who spends his days laughing, stimming with ocean animal stuffies, and finding joy in ways that are beautifully his own.

But many families don’t have what we have. They’re left without resources, support, or energy to fight a system that too often fails them.

This year, we enrolled Beau in a Canucks Autism Network baseball program. I was brought to tears at the door when a trained volunteer greeted Beau, just for him. For the first time, we felt what it was like to just be parents—watching our child play, without fear or judgment.

Organizations like CAN give families like ours something rare: a sense of normalcy, community, and belonging. They are a lifeline for many.

I’m running this race for every parent who has felt alone. For every caregiver too tired to ask for help. For every child who deserves to feel included. And for Beau—our smiling, spinning, ocean-loving boy—who has taught us that joy doesn’t always look the way we expect it to, but it’s no less powerful.

Thank you for supporting CAN. Your donation brings light to families who are doing the hard things, every single day. If you can't donate please consider sharing this with your network to spread awareness.