On May 29, I attended an event that touched me so much that I became inspired to start a chapter at my University. The event was called "The Besties". It was an award show set up like the Grammy's, as the end of the year event for Best Buddies Tennessee. It was so cool, there was a red carpet event prior to the show for all that were attending to walk down. They had performers, presenters and nominees for all different categories.
Best Buddies is an international organization that pairs peers with special needs children through adulthood. Chapters are elementary school through college as well as community chapters for adult pairs. Best Buddies was started to bring people together through friendships. Buddies do things outside of school, such as text, go to the movies, go on vacation together, you name it they do it! My brother is apart of this amazing organization and because of it he has been able to experience friendships he may otherwise have not had the opportunity to have. My brother has cerebral palsy and often kids did not ask him to do things with them, because the thought he could not. Best Buddies changed that.
Sitting in that audience watching the awards show, I thought I knew a lot about the organization. I mean my brother's middle school was up for chapter of the year, which they won! What took my by surprise was when several colleges were nominated. I thought to myself, "Wait, why isn't this happening at my school?" My university has a special needs program and at that moment I realized I have not noticed them at many of the events on campus. That is the moment I realized that something had to be done and immediately. I found the person over collegiate chapters and started the process that night.
Best Buddies is amazing and if any of this made you curious please look them up. See if your school or community has a chapter, if yes then join, you will not be enriching someone else's lives, but they will be enriching yours. If the answer is no there is not a chapter then I implore you to start one. Friendship is something everyone needs!
