Canuck Place Recreation Therapy Helps Kids Just Be Kids
The Skibington family navigates many obstacles in their day-to-day lives, and recreation is just one of the daily activities that requires more planning.
“Everyone deserves recreation” says Canuck Place Dad, Chris Skibington. “It is fundamentally designed to get people out and to connect with their community.”
Canuck Place Recreational Therapy – Photo Submitted
Chris and his wife Tyra were first introduced to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice early on in their daughter Darby’s life. Darby was born with a rare chromosomal abnormality – diagnosed as Pallister Killian Syndrome. Darby is now almost 16-years-old, and her cognition is that of a newborn. She requires 24-7 care. She is deaf, blind, and non-verbal; however, she communicates with smiles, laughs, cries, and other noises – ‘Darbanese’ as Chris and Tyra lovingly explain.
Canuck Place is British Columbia and the Yukon’s only pediatric palliative care provider. Over 830 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place care in-hospice through two hospice locations in Vancouver and Abbotsford, in-hospital, and in their home. Canuck Place services include in-hospice medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-Hour Clinical Care Line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care.
This weekend is the 44th annual Vancouver Pride Parade, the 46th annual Powell Street Festival, and there are so many more amazing events and activities to enjoy as we head into August. Find these events and many, many more things to do in Vancouver this long weekend listed below:
Things to do in Vancouver This Long Weekend July 29 to August 1, 2022
This month Miss604 is proud to sponsor Salsa Cruises (August 6, 14, 20, 28), Summer at Burnaby Village Museum (all summer). Find all of these and more August events in Metro Vancouver listed below:
The online Miss604 store is open once again this year, with more Surrey shirts and products in support of a wonderful local cause! In partnership with MAKE Vancouver and my BFF Michelle Kim, proceeds from the Surrey BFF Collection will go to Options BC youth programs in Surrey, BC.
Collaborating on projects in Surrey since 1985: Michelle Kim and I met in kindergarten at Hjorth Road Elementary and we’ve been BFFs ever since! We have worked on projects together and supported the community for over three decades – from across the playground to around the globe – and we’re so excited to work together once again on such an important campaign.
Shop three designs available on t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, totes, and water bottles.
I Heart Surrey – it’s as simple as that! Show some love for the province’s largest city by land area and second most populated in Metro Vancouver. This is the heart of the whole campaign, from the love of friends and family, to the love of community and supporting youth through Options BC programming and services.
“Green Timbers Urban Forest” is one of Surrey’s largest parks with over 10 kilometres of nature trails, a regularly stocked fishing lake, picnic areas, and the Surrey Nature Centre all nestled in a scenic second-growth forest.
“Bear Creek Park” is arguably the most popular park in the city! Home to an outdoor pool, the popular track, playground, gardens, the Bear Creek Miniature Train, the Surrey Arts Centre and kilometers of walking trails.
I’m giving away two items to one lucky winner! They can pick a hoodie and a water bottle, two t-shirts, a tote bag and a mug, any combo and style they like from the collection.
Funds raised through the campaign will assist youth at risk in a wide variety of ways such as:
Help pay for clothing so that they can attend a graduation ceremony or a job interview with their head held high
Cover day care or tuition costs for a young mother so that she can complete an educational program that allows her to provide a better life for her young family
Pay first and last month’s rent when no other funds are available
Help a young person further their independence by paying for driving lessons or getting their driver’s licence which is often needed for employment
Help with the cost of sports or recreation fees so that children can join their peers in activities that build skills, friendships and self-esteem
The Vancouver Pride Parade is the highlight of summer in Downtown Vancouver, a tradition for the last 44 years, and the largest parade of any kind in Western Canada! We are so excited that it’s back and in person Sunday, July 31st as a part of Vancouver Pride’s incredible lineup of inclusive events celebrating 2SLGBTQAI+ communities.
2019 Grand Marshall DJ O Show – Vancouver Pride photo
Vancouver Pride Parade Route and Info 2022
Where: Downtown Vancouver along Robson Street, Denman, and Beach Ave When: Sunday, July 31, 2022 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
The parade will travel down the road from Thurlow, down Robson St towards Denman. It will turn left on Denman all the way to Beach Ave and flow into the Sunset Beach Festival. The public can gather anywhere along the route to view and enjoy the parade from the sidewalk.
This year’s Grand Marshals are: Annie Ohana, Tiyáltelut Kristen Rivers, and Dogwood Monarchist Society’s Empress Fancy Pants and Emperor Victor the Victorious.
11:50am Dykes on Bikes ride the Parade Route to signify that the Parade is starting soon
12:00pm Parade begins at Robson and Jervis
12:45pm First float reaches the end of the Parade at Pacific and Jervis
2:15pm Last float leaves the Parade staging area at Robson and Jervis
3:00pm Last float reaches the dispersal area at Pacific and Jervis, Parade is finished
Beach and Broughton – Shanique Kelly and Kona Katranya
Be on the lookout for Toonie Brigade led by Safeway Canada and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. The Toonie Brigade carries a giant rainbow flag where folks can throw in their toonies, which go towards making Pride what it is today.
Vancouver Pride Parade Road Closures
Full Closure 7:00am – 3:30pm
Robson St. between Jervis St. and Burrard St.
Alberni St. between Bute St. and Burrard St.
Thurlow St. between W. Georgia St. and Nelson St.
Bute St. between Alberni St. and Haro St.
Jervis St Between Eihu Lane & Rosemary Brown lane
Local Access Only Until 11:30am, No Access 11:30am-4:00pm
Robson St. between Jervis St. and Denman St.
Denman St. between Robson St. and Beach Ave.
Beach Ave. between Denman St. and Jervis St.
Local Access Only until 12:30pm, No Access 12:30pm-3:30pm
