Alexandra Orlando

I am a communications consultant by trade and a mental health advocate by passion. SAAAC CARES to me, has been an incredible journey of learning and sharing as a facilitator since 2017. I have met many great individuals from several walks of life, all united by a common thread – caregiving and its impact on their well-being. Our conversations about individual experiences, societal norms, mental health, and life have always been enlightening. Furthermore, witnessing a positive transformation in the participants from their first day to the last is gratifying. The program leaves a lasting and life-changing impact on many of the participants.

CARES empowers and enables the participants to look at daily life situations differently. In addition, the program fosters a community bond amongst the participants and creates a sense of belonging. It is a safe space where one can speak freely without the fear of judgement. To many, it is more than a reprieve from the daily grind; it is a joyous retreat to self-care.

Hi There! My name is Shankavi Selvanathan and I have been part of SAAAC for a year now. I am a Registered Kinesiologist by profession and the founder of a wellness clinic, HRIM Wellness. I have been in the health and wellness field for over 5 years and I am continuously working on impacting the lives of many. My passion for empowering individuals to understand the value of their mental and physical health is what drew me into becoming a SAAAC Cares facilitator. SAAAC provides families with an 8-week program to help caregivers support the development of a child with an autism or special needs diagnosis. Over the course of the program, we have round table discussions about topics such as stress, self-compassion, helpful thinking and more.

My very first experience of being a CARES facilitator was truly a heart-warming one. Hearing the obstacles and difficulties that caregivers encounter day-to-day, and watching them develop and apply new strategies is truly inspirational. The transformation from orientation day, to our final day of the program is an opportunity I hope that many caregivers should consider. Reconnecting with caregivers who have completed this program speaks volumes of how the program impacts their lives beyond the 8 weeks.

To me, the SAAAC Cares program is a program that truly shows that not all superheroes wear capes! Caregivers are the backbone for children with special needs and the support and skills we share are the pillars for better mental health. 

Stomp on stigma and let’s embrace the beauty of how unique we all are!