Testimonials

I thought I had a pretty good insight on [the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities] before I was a CBD and before I went to Leadership Conference because I had been involved in helping people with intellectual disabilities for a pretty long time, but after LC my “insight” seemed like nothing compared to what I saw there. People with intellectual disabilities are so much more capable in life in so many [more] ways than me that I was flabbergasted (if that’s even a real word)!! I honestly feel like the laziest person alive compared to some of the people I saw at LC, there is no way I could ever have the ambition or drive to make me swim the width of Lake Tahoe in September or have the courage to get up in front of hundreds of people and put on a fashion show and it just goes to show that people can surprise you and people with intellectual disabilities are by far some of the most capable people in every aspect of life.

Shannan Heaney, University of Rhode Island

The silence was deafening as 1600 people waited patiently for the speaker to remember her train of thought. Then one person clapped, and soon the entire auditorium was filled with cheers of encouragement for her. She continued her spellbinding speech with renewed confidence and focus. When she mentioned her recent engagement and flashed her diamond, the audience was immediately on its feet with thunderous applause. The young woman smiled, then signaled the audience to return to their seats and instructed them to let her finish. This sweet but stern reprimand elicited laughter as the audience sat down and listened raptly to the rest of her story.

The speaker was a young woman with intellectual disabilities and the audience was the attendees at the Best Buddies National Leadership Conference. I was lucky enough to be in that audience at Indiana University in July 2008. The conference was unforgettable and awe-inspiring. I have had friendships with special education students since kindergarten, but this conference was the first opportunity I have had to see people with special needs as motivational speakers and musical performers.

Some people might find it surprising that well over a thousand high school and college youth would give a weekend of their short summer to sit through countless lectures and slideshows in an exhausting four-day program. Yet the enthusiasm was palpable and the energy was contagious. The dozen standing ovations that interrupted the closing ceremonies were an accurate representation of the spirit of the group.

In the Indianapolis airport on the way home, as I chanted the Best Buddies cheer with the Massachusetts contingent, my head spun with ideas for my school’s chapter. I planned new methods for recruiting members, considered various fundraising suggestions, and looked forward to group activities we could organize. I couldn’t wait to get home to tell the Buddies from my school all about the weekend.

The conference also inspired me to contemplate the meaning of Best Buddies in my own life and at my school. Every high school student deserves a chance for positive relationships with their peers. Best Buddies gives students with intellectual disabilities that opportunity. When my Buddy first sat with me and my other friends at lunch, it was the first time in at least six years that he wasn’t sitting at an isolated lunch table with the rest of his special education class. When we went to a movie theater together, it was the first time he had gone out socially without his parents. Best Buddies allows students with intellectual disabilities to have social lives like other teenagers. My goals for our club are to create rewarding friendships and, ultimately, to spread the acceptance of students with intellectual disabilities until a Best Buddies club need not exist. This year we had a record number of students come to our organizational meeting and even more who joined in the following weeks. I am thrilled with the enthusiasm of our new members and excited to see the impact Best Buddies is having on all the students at North Andover High.

Colleen Grady, North Andover High School-MA

“I feel extremely prepared to serve as a chapter leader. This conference has given me the confidence to succeed.”

“I like the fact that we had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world-really that was very enriching. I liked meeting the buddies from all over – they’re so unique and touch your heart. The performances really moved me because it’s so amazing to watch them achieve their goals.”

“My favorite aspect of the conference was meeting students from all over and seeing first hand how similar we all are, no matter where we’re from or what disabilities we have.”

“Not only did I learn a lot from the conference, but I was motivated and inspired beyond measure.”

“Before, I really didn’t understand what I was going t do and I was worried. Now, I’m one-hundred percent confident and have answers to so many questions. I am so pumped and so excited to lead my chapter!”

“Every staff member was so dedicated and they wanted to help which made everyone want to learn. This conference has further pushed me to want to be a great chapter.”

“The best part of the conference was seeing my buddy on stage, grinning ear to ear, just beaming!”

“My favorite part of the conference was meeting everyone. And although they were complete strangers to me, we all had one thing in common, we came here to become a stronger leader.”

“I loved hearing stories about the buddies, from the buddies. All of their smiles and hearing their laughter made me feel so good. It was contagious!”

“The staff at Leadership Conference was amazing and one day I hope to work with Best Buddies International.”

“Thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity and helping me discover my purpose in life and what I want to do in the future as my job.”

“The performances were absolutely amazing. They really hit home for me because you can actually see that people with disabilities are not dysfunctional, but coherent, talented and beautiful people who know the concept of love and friendship better than anyone.”