“Social isolation is a real problem for kids who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), whose bodies or minds work differently than most other people’s. It’s true that people with IDD might be bullied, but more often they’re just left out. Their same-age peers don’t think to include them. A lot of these kids have never been invited to birthday parties or sleepovers. No one asks them to come out and play. No one calls them to hang out. They’re just not on anyone’s radar. Every kid needs friends, disabled or not. Nobody wants to be with just mom and dad all the time.
“Best Buddies was founded to end the social isolation of people who struggle physically and intellectually. The program pairs people with IDD with typical peers and is often the first time the person with IDD has had a friend outside their family. There are Best Buddies chapters in 27 Memphis area schools (public & private, middle school through college) right now, and more are on the waiting list. Students who join the chapters understand that they are committing to a person and not just coming to meetings. Seeing relationships bloom between the people who are paired is a beautiful thing. The person with IDD is no longer isolated or excluded, and the typical peer discovers that this new person in his or her life has a lot to offer and is a person with abilities--- not just disabilities. They learn that we are all more alike than different and that everyone is worthy of and capable of friendship. The lives of both are enormously enriched.”
“Best Buddies was founded to end the social isolation of people who struggle physically and intellectually. The program pairs people with IDD with typical peers and is often the first time the person with IDD has had a friend outside their family. There are Best Buddies chapters in 27 Memphis area schools (public & private, middle school through college) right now, and more are on the waiting list. Students who join the chapters understand that they are committing to a person and not just coming to meetings. Seeing relationships bloom between the people who are paired is a beautiful thing. The person with IDD is no longer isolated or excluded, and the typical peer discovers that this new person in his or her life has a lot to offer and is a person with abilities--- not just disabilities. They learn that we are all more alike than different and that everyone is worthy of and capable of friendship. The lives of both are enormously enriched.”
“People with IDD are just people and should have opportunities like everyone else. It’s not just a social issue; it’s a civil rights issue. Best Buddies of Memphis is beginning to expand the social pairing to adults and is also looking to start a job-training program for people with IDD. One such program was started in Nashville when someone donated $100,000. As we obtain more funding, we want to be able to offer that service here, where we talk to a company about hiring persons with IDD and then coach the new hires through learning the job so that they can support themselves as adults. Parents often worry about what will happen to their child when they’re gone. It’s a huge relief to them to know that their adult child can receive job training and earn an income. A business may think they’re doing a favor by hiring someone with IDD and then find out that person is the one who brightens up their workplace.
“To fund Best Buddies, we have an annual luncheon in the fall and a Friendship Walk in the spring, but our biggest event is the annual Gala and Casino Night. This year it will be held on November 14, 2015, at the Cadre Building downtown, which is a beautiful space. We’ll have entertainment, food, and casino-like games that people can play for fun---not for money. The money we raise comes from ticket sales, sponsorships, silent and live auctions, and donations. Those funds will help to expand the Best Buddies program here in Memphis. Information about the gala will be posted on the FB page soon. If readers have any questions, they can contact either of us by email."
“To fund Best Buddies, we have an annual luncheon in the fall and a Friendship Walk in the spring, but our biggest event is the annual Gala and Casino Night. This year it will be held on November 14, 2015, at the Cadre Building downtown, which is a beautiful space. We’ll have entertainment, food, and casino-like games that people can play for fun---not for money. The money we raise comes from ticket sales, sponsorships, silent and live auctions, and donations. Those funds will help to expand the Best Buddies program here in Memphis. Information about the gala will be posted on the FB page soon. If readers have any questions, they can contact either of us by email."
From the Best Buddies material:
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down Syndrome, Austism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.
Best Buddies Tennessee (Memphis)
9700 Village Circle, Lakeland, TN 38002
Office: 901.937.0005
Meredith Taylor, Development Coordinator & Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 901.484.7709
Casey Newcomb, Program Manager
[email protected]
FB: https://www.facebook.com/bestbuddies.tn
Website (TN): http://www.bestbuddiestennessee.org
Website (International): http://bestbuddies.org
9700 Village Circle, Lakeland, TN 38002
Office: 901.937.0005
Meredith Taylor, Development Coordinator & Program Manager
Email: [email protected]
Cell: 901.484.7709
Casey Newcomb, Program Manager
[email protected]
FB: https://www.facebook.com/bestbuddies.tn
Website (TN): http://www.bestbuddiestennessee.org
Website (International): http://bestbuddies.org
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