Welcome to March! Did you know that March is Disability Awareness and Best Buddies Month? What better way to kick off the month than to hear from an amazing self-advocate and buddy director at IUPUI, Ned Russell-Sullivan. Thank you, Ned, for sharing your story!
Hello, my name is Ned Russell-Sullivan. I would like to share my personal and fun experiences in Best Buddies with you. I started Best Buddies with my sister when I was in middle school. I remember we did tennis in our group. In my senior year in high school I was in the chapter at my school. When my Buddy and I were matched, we decided to write to each other. Almost every day we would lunch together. We kept in touch by e-mail and any time when we passed each other in the hallways.
When I moved to Indiana, I started back being involved with Best Buddies. When I joined the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) Chapter I had more then one buddy. When I talk to my Buddy it makes me happy because keeping in touch with friends is important to me. This year my Best Buddy is Kathryn. What Kathryn and I have done as Buddies is go bowling, eat out and attend chapter events. I really like going to the leadership conference because I feel like there's a job that needs to be done and I like improving my chapter. I am the Buddy Director for the IUPUI Chapter.
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| Kathryn and Ned - Art of Friendship 2010 |
I have a lot of fun memories through Best Buddies. I remember when my Buddy was Josie. I took her to see Josh Blue. Josh Blue is a comedian who won the 2004 season of Last Comic Standing. Josh Blue has Cerebral Palsy, is married and a father. I remember going bowling with several of my Best Buddies friends and going to the leadership conference each year and I feel proud and happy.
Today I am working for the Marion County Clerk's office. I work part-time five days a week. I love it. I sort mail and deliver summons to the county courts. I have been working there a year and a half. In my Best Buddies chapter, we had our Holiday Dance in December and we also went to an Indiana Ice Hockey game. All the group activities are so much fun. In group activities, I catch up with the Buddies to see how they are doing with their Buddies.
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| Ned at an IUPUI chapter activity in October |
If I had to pick one word that makes me think of Best Buddies, I feel that there should be two words. Family and Friends. Family, because every time we do a group activity, I feel like we're one big family helping and learning from each other. Friends, because you can always find a friend or someone to hang out with and have a great time!
