The New Hampshire community is bursting with pride to recognize Katelyn McKivergan, a 24-year-old Ambassador for Best Buddies NH who was selected to deliver her speech at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington on Sunday, July 21st. McKivergan was one of only five individuals chosen from a group of 200 Ambassadors from around the world to give speeches at Closing Ceremonies.

Best Buddies Ambassadors are individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are committed to promoting and educating audiences about the mission, philosophy, and benefits of Best Buddies. Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers, and community advocates from around the globe to imagine, create, lead and empower the future of the disability rights and inclusion movement. This year, BBLC drew an impressive 2,000 participants, giving McKivergan a powerful platform to deliver her speech.
McKivergan was born with Down syndrome, and says in her speech,

“I was diagnosed in high school with selective mutism. I had a hard time socially making friends and felt alone and anxious, leaving me no choice…I was homeschooled and felt safe, but I had no friends…A year later, I found a local Best Buddies college chapter, and my life changed…I didn’t feel alone anymore.”

The cheers and applause throughout the speech were powerful, resonating with the crowd and amplifying the impact of McKivergan’s words. Her journey from high school to getting on the stage in Bloomington has been fueled by her mantra, “Never Give Up.” McKivergan traveled to Indiana with 30 others from New Hampshire, including high school chapter leaders, Ambassadors with IDD, Best Buddies staff, Board members, and her mother, Pauline, who shared in the collective pride of the entire delegation.

McKivergan’s final thoughts in her speech were, “I am valued and respected, and people believe in me. Best Buddies gets me through the hard times, and makes the best times even better. Like everyone in this room, my hopes and dreams are owning my own apartment and coffee shop. Best Buddies helped me realize that this can be my reality. When times get tough, remember to keep going. Your hardest times often lead to the best moments in your life. Be like me, never give up!”