Andrew and Mercedes were matched through Best Buddies in their freshman year of high school, and now four years later, their friendship continues to flourish. They started as mere friends of course but quickly grew close to each other.

It is very important to Jack that people with IDD never feel alone. “Do not doubt yourself, and be confident in who you are. Let your disability make you stronger. Just because someone looks different, or has a disability, doesn’t make them truly different. It does not define who they are!

If you imagine the purest, most beautiful thing you could see, that’s Tatyana Spidell to me. We’ve been matched since fall of 2017. She’s a ray of sunshine that on many occasions has turned the worst days completely around…

Spread the Word to End the Word is a national campaign to end the use of the R-word. The campaign was started to create more accepting attitudes and communities for all people by asking people to pledge to end the use of the derogatory word.

Before joining Best Buddies, Will Kennedy had difficulty talking to kids with disabilities. When he did talk to them, it was usually a very short conversation and he didn’t make much more of it. Once he joined Conway High School Best Buddies, Will quickly realized that the members surpassed his perception of people with disabilities.

Last summer, Jack had the opportunity to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference where he participated as an Ambassador. Throughout the weekend, he had the opportunity to work on writing a speech that he would later share with over 2,300 conference participants.

Paige Petersen, the 2016-2017 Chapter President for the Waukee High School Best Buddies chapter first met her buddy Brian in the sixth grade. At the time, both Paige and Brian were attending Diamond Canyon Elementary in Phoenix, Arizona.

The reasons for my intrigue weren’t entirely clear to me at the time; something about her told me that behind her torn pop-culture literature, shy giggle, and infectious smile, was a girl with so much to offer.

Alka and I were matched in a Best Buddies friendship two years ago and have been great friends ever since! We love attending Best Buddies UNH events together which have included UNH football and hockey games, talent shows, and dances.

The first time I spent the day at Lucia’s house, I met John. Friendships can be a struggle for many people, but I have had no struggles maintaining a strong bond with John. I still remember that day when he came home from work, telling me a story about a crazy customer who wanted to use a coupon from another store that had expired two years before.