Each month we will be highlighting one of our outstanding supporters in honor of our 10 year anniversary. This month we are pleased to introduce you to: Missy Spurr
How did you become involved in Best Buddies?
 |
| Missy enjoying a dinner with her buddy, Jenny! |
When I was in high school, I was involved in Project E.A.S.E. (Entering and Accessing School Environments), a club that helped promote inclusion of students in special education classes in the social scene of the high school. I absolutely loved my involvement and was ECSTATIC when I came across the Best Buddies' table at the activities fair at the University of Notre Dame when I was a freshman. It seemed like the perfect next step from my experience in high school. I was matched with Jenny all four years while I was in undergrad and we had a fantastic time together. We still keep in touch to this day and have a great friendship. I was honored to serve as an officer for several years and attend the Leadership Conference. It was exhilarating meeting other students as passionate about Best Buddies as I was. When I started medical school at IU School of Medicine (IUSM), I greatly missed my involvement in Best Buddies. Lucky for me, my brother was the founder and CBD of the Butler chapter and I was allowed to attend group events. Surprisingly, that wasn't enough. I talked with the state office and helped launch a new joint chapter between IUPUI and IUSM. I had two different buddies while in medical school, Ellen and Scott. We had a lot of fun together and got to see the growth of the chapter. I continued involvement in Best Buddies by attending Business Buddies and the gala as well as participating in the walk. Throughout medical school and residency, I have been able to use my experience in Best Buddies to more appropriately talk to parents of patients with disabilities and give them hope that their child can have long lasting friendships with people outside of their family. I am incredibly honored to have been recently invited to join the state advisory board to help give back to an organization that has truly changed my life.
What is your favorite Best Buddies memory?
 |
| One of Missy's favorite memories...meeting Chris Burke |
Wow, there are just too many to choose from! My friendship with my buddies, my experiences at the leadership conference, meeting Anthony Kennedy Shrive and Chris Burke through Best Buddies' functions, to seeing the growth of Best Buddies throughout Indiana and the world!
What are you doing today?
 |
| Missy and her fiance, Dan. |
After completing my pediatric residency, I started a two year genetics fellowship. I will be finished in July and am planning on joining a practice here in Indianapolis. I am also lucky enough to be a faculty advisor for the IUPUI/IUSM Best Buddies chapter and to be a new appointee to the state advisory board of Best Buddies Indiana.
What is ONE word that makes you think of Best Buddies?
Friendship
