Eunie's Buddies
Best Buddies Family Support offers families the support and resources needed to navigate the journey of raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Eunie’s Buddies serves as the pioneering program within the Family Support initiative. It is named affectionately in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics and a true hero who advocated tirelessly for positive change in the lives of individuals with IDD.
Eunie's Buddies pairs experienced parents of a child with an IDD with new parents who are expecting, have just welcomed a baby, or are raising a child up to the age of eight years old who has been recently diagnosed with an IDD. This pairing creates a mentor–mentee connection and friendship. Eunie’s Buddies provides a framework offering parents and caregivers encouragement, emotional support, and valuable resources. Participation in Eunie’s Buddies helps families pave the way for a child with IDD to have an education, gainful employment, and a fulfilled life.
Have you recently received an IDD diagnosis for your child? We see you. We’ve been there and we understand you. Amidst the uncertainty of this moment, one thing is for sure: you are not alone.
You may be experiencing a range of overwhelming thoughts and emotions, which are absolutely normal. You may need time and space to process them. We are here to support you on your journey whenever you are ready. We will connect you with a mentor, a parent or caregiver of a child with a similar IDD diagnosis, who can offer a listening ear, insightful information, access to useful resources, encouragement, and genuine friendship. Your mentor is here to guide you step by step, at your own pace.
Based on your preference, priorities, needs, and expectations, you can choose to be paired with a local mentor or connect with a mentor virtually.
You may be experiencing a range of overwhelming thoughts and emotions, which are absolutely normal. You may need time and space to process them. We are here to support you on your journey whenever you are ready. We will connect you with a mentor, a parent or caregiver of a child with a similar IDD diagnosis, who can offer a listening ear, insightful information, access to useful resources, encouragement, and genuine friendship. Your mentor is here to guide you step by step, at your own pace.
Based on your preference, priorities, needs, and expectations, you can choose to be paired with a local mentor or connect with a mentor virtually.
At Best Buddies we see an IDD diagnosis as an invitation to embrace a new perspective and to discover the beauty of this experience. We know that a diagnosis is not a prognosis, and we are dedicated to helping families and individuals with IDD thrive.
A mentor is an experienced parent or caregiver of a child with an IDD who offers support, encouragement, knowledge, and a unique perspective to a mentee. They are paired, in-person or virtually, with one mentee at a time to ensure a mutually enriching connection.
Key Qualifications:
- Must have a child with IDD. It is recommended that the child be under 20 years old.
- Alignment with the mission of Eunie’s Buddies
- Empathy and sensitivity
- Active listening skills
- Non-judgment and unbiased attitude
- Prepared to share your experience
- Ability to drive distances of up to 30 miles
- Familiarity with available resources and services
- Confidentiality
- Must successfully pass a background check.
Support for Mentors
Eunie’s Buddies mentors can count on a designated point person who will provide support and address any questions or concerns that may arise throughout the process.
Our resources are designed to help mentees process and navigate a diagnosis. Our dedicated mentors offer personalized support, including tailored service recommendations, activity suggestions, and relevant information.
Your Child’s IDD Diagnosis: Start Here
Welcome to our supportive community! You are embarking on a journey filled with possibilities.
A diagnosis can feel overwhelming, so here are some tips to consider as you process this news:
Take a deep breath, smile, and let's take this step by step.
A diagnosis can feel overwhelming, so here are some tips to consider as you process this news:
- Embrace Your Feelings: There is no right or wrong way to feel. It is natural to experience an array of thoughts and emotions; allow yourself to process them.
- Seek Reliable Information: Avoid searching online for diagnosis details. Our mentors are here to provide you with updated, accredited information from reliable sources tailored to your needs. They can offer insights into what life might look like with an IDD diagnosis and address any questions you may have.
- Focus on Your Child: See the child, not the diagnosis. Your child still needs the same essentials as any other child: play, a bath, food, rest, cuddles, and most importantly, love. Children with IDD might require some extra support, but they are very much capable of extraordinary achievements.
- Embrace the Possibilities: With the right support, everyone can reach their full potential. A diagnosis does not define a person, it is simply a part of the individual.
- You are Not Alone: There are over 200 million families of children with IDD around the world. At Eunie’s Buddies, we welcome you with open arms and connect you with parents and caregivers who are eager to meet you.
Take a deep breath, smile, and let's take this step by step.
Understanding this newfound Journey
Welcome To Holland
By Emily Perl Kingsley
Copyright ©1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of the author.
I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It’s like this...
When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It’s all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The flight attendant comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.” “Holland?!?” you say. “What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.”
But there’s been a change in the flight plan. They’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven’t taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It’s just a different place.
So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.
It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.
But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they’re all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say “Yes, that’s where I was supposed to go. That’s what I had planned.”
And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.
But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.
Care for Caregivers
What is Self-Care?
Have you ever wondered why airlines advise you to put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting your child? It is because you need to ensure your own safety before being able to help others. Self-care is essential for nurturing and protecting your own well-being. It encompasses intentional actions and practices that support your physical, mental, and emotional health. Prominent sources have highlighted that parents and caregivers who prioritize self-care often experience increased energy, improved focus, and a more positive outlook*.
Why is Self-Care Important?
Setting aside time for yourself models healthy habits for your children, and also fosters a balanced environment that enables you to connect with your child, while being more present and engaged. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, making it challenging to provide the care and attention your children need. By prioritizing your own well-being, you create a healthy, supportive atmosphere for your entire family.
Consider dedicating a few minutes each day to yourself. Self-care is a personalized practice, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is important to identify your own needs and priorities to create a self-care routine that is effective and sustainable.
The following bingo cards can be a fun and helpful way to incorporate small yet impactful acts of self-kindness into your routine. Ultimately, self-care will empower you to be the best parent you can be!
*Sources:
Eunie’s Buddies believes that community plays a crucial role in helping families navigate their journey. Supportive spaces offer a safe and welcoming environment that fosters connection, growth, and fun. By engaging with others who understand and share similar experiences, families find comfort, insight, encouragement, and inspiration.
Online
Webinars
Insightful webinars feature specialists, authors, and leaders in the disability community. Expert panelists dive into essential topics designed to empower families with knowledge and tools for the journey ahead.
Check out our webinars on this link!
Check out our webinars on this link!
Connection Series
A welcoming space for parents to share, and connect on an emotional level. Hosted by inspiring parents and caregivers, each meeting is filled with personal stories and experiences, reminding participants of their own strength and connection to one another.
In-Person
In-person events bring families together to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their journey. These intimate gatherings help create lasting friendships and build a strong support network, honoring the unique path of each family.
Find an event near you:
Join our Family Support network
Join our dedicated team of community volunteers at Eunie’s Buddies to make a significant impact by supporting local outreach efforts, fostering crucial relationships with healthcare professionals, and promoting our program. Learn more and apply now to contribute.
We understand the challenges that come with delivering a prenatal or post-natal IDD diagnosis.
Eunie’s Buddies is here to assist you in supporting your patients. Healthcare providers can offer families the opportunity to connect with experienced parents and caregivers of children with a similar diagnosis, referred to as Mentors. These Mentors can provide answers to their questions with a unique perspective, deep understanding, and a nurturing approach, offering valuable insights and support.
To connect your patients with a Mentor please share this QR code with them:
To request our brochure please email us at EB@bestbuddies.org.
The Possibilities
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A Caregiver’s Perspective
Michelle Aventajado
Best Buddies Staff MemberNo one wants to feel alone. Even if I understood what Down syndrome was because I was a teacher and taught in inclusive classrooms, when the neonatologist gave me a birth diagnosis of Trisomy 21, I felt the full gamut of emotions that comes along with the understanding that my parenthood journey was forever going to be different. My husband Nino and I looked to each other for comfort, but…
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The Possibilities
Joshua Felder
Best Buddies Global AmbassadorMeet Joshua Felder, a Global Ambassador and International Board of Directors member for Best Buddies International. He is also the first person with a disability to be a dancer in the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show with The Weeknd and the first to be featured in a Showtime Original. He stars in the Woody Harrelson movie Champions and has appeared in The Drew Barrimore Show and the Today Show…
Richard Carolan
Executive Director,The Carolan Foundation
I wish this program had existed when Victoria was born. I understand the emotions parents face when their child is diagnosed with an IDD, and I believe it can make a significant impact on the success of families.”
Camille Costa
Mentor
A program like Eunie’s Buddies can be a lifeline for parents of children with IDD, offering a space to be vulnerable and connect with another parent who truly understands and welcomes you with open arms. A diagnosis is not a prognosis and having someone by your side who has navigated a similar journey can positively impact the destiny of a family and their child.”
Willa Thorson
Geneticist & Mother
I was a medical geneticist, a physician specializing in taking care of children with special needs, when my son was diagnosed prenatally with Down syndrome. Despite all my knowledge about Down syndrome, I realized that I didn’t know anything about what it was like to actually parent a child with this condition. Connecting with other families is really what provided me with the tools and resources to support my son and allow him to realize his full potential. I am excited for this program to be able to connect families so they can share their stories and form lasting bonds for themselves and their children.”
Eunie's Buddies in the Media
Anthony K. Shriver appeared on NBC's Today Show with Savannah Guthrie to discuss the profound impact of Best Buddies’ mission to foster inclusion and create opportunities for the IDD community, as well as the organization’s new initiative, Eunie’s Buddies, which offers support to families raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Watch the interview here.
Best Buddies Launches Eunie’s Buddies: A Lifeline for Families with Children with Special Needs
An experience that was supposed to be filled with joy and anticipation pivots sharply to confusion and grief. But what if amid that swirling chaos, a fellow parent who had walked this path showed up simply to listen and say, “Me too - you are not alone”?
Read the full article here.
Best Buddies is expanding with a new program called Eunie’s Buddies, offering support to families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inspired by her own journey, Kelly Caba now mentors moms like Camila Carpenter, helping them navigate the challenges of raising a child with disabilities and building a strong, supportive community.
Watch the interview and video here.
Best Buddies Family Support provides families with essential resources to navigate raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Its pioneering program, Eunie's Buddies, honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a dedicated advocate for individuals with IDD and founder of Special Olympics.
Watch the video here.
Getting an IDD diagnosis for your child can be overwhelming, but finding another parent who truly gets it can make all the difference. That’s the heart of what we do at Eunie’s Buddies through our mentorship program.
Watch the video here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any fees associated with this program?
There is no cost to join or participate in Eunie’s Buddies.
Can I apply if the program is not in my state?
If you are interested in connecting remotely, you can apply for eMentorship in the United States.
For in-person mentorship, please refer to our map for locations and dates. If our program is not currently available in your area, and you wish to be notified when the in-person mentorship launches in your city, please complete this form.
How soon can I expect to be matched with a mentor?
Please allow up to two weeks to be matched with your mentor.
Our mentors are parents or caregivers of a child with IDD who undergo thorough screening and training to provide you with guidance, support, and understanding. We take great care in matching you with a mentor who not only understands your needs, but also shares similar interests, cultural backgrounds, and diagnoses.
Our mentors are parents or caregivers of a child with IDD who undergo thorough screening and training to provide you with guidance, support, and understanding. We take great care in matching you with a mentor who not only understands your needs, but also shares similar interests, cultural backgrounds, and diagnoses.
What if my match is not a good fit?
Establishing a genuine connection in a mentorship relationship is essential. If you find that the relationship is not quite right, please let us know. We are committed to working with you to find a mentor who meets your needs.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways to be a part of Eunie’s Buddies
- Mentor – a unique, and rewarding opportunity to share your experience, insight and transform someone’s life.
- Community Parent Volunteer - assist with outreach, social media, coordinating local or virtual events, and other tasks! Your valuable time and skills can have a positive impact on many.
- Donate – your contribution will make a difference
Have additional questions? We're here for you! Email us at EB@bestbuddies.org or call/text 786.960.0506
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