W h y   S h o u l d   I   H e l p ?

The following article by Campus Coordinator Philipp Santiago appeared in the Underground newspaper:

    > download the article (.doc file)

Best Buddies Program Catalyzes Positive Change

BY PHILIPP SANTIAGO

For the past thirteen years, post secondary students have been forming friendships with intellectually disabled peers, through the Best Buddies program. In 1987, as a student at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Anthony Kennedy Shriver formed an organization that would bring together those with and without developmental disabilities. Experienced with the disabled, Shriver rightly acknowledged the need to facilitate such unique friendships; he had the steadfast resolve to change the way the world saw people with disabilities. Little did he know that the national, non profit organization that he would form two years later would go on to reach international status. The first Canadian chapter was established in 1993 at York University, and Best Buddies Canada became a registered Canadian charity in 1995. Abroad, chapters are presently held in Greece, Egypt, Ireland, Sweden and Cuba, all due to Anthony's vision.

Shriver's vision continues to enlighten today's youth, and challenge a world whose views still need to be contested. Although many adults with intellectual disabilities live independently in community residences, go to school or to work, they are still associated with negative labels, and are not celebrated or recognized for being contributing members of society. Best Buddies aims to educate, to demonstrate the benefits of a more inclusive society.

Best Buddies matches post secondary students, and this year has implemented the program in ten Toronto high schools, with adults who have intellectual disabilities. Within a university, college, or high school community, matches are made between compatible individuals. Buddies, (the intellectually disabled person), and Student Buddies, (students), then communicate by phone once a week, and meet twice a month for one-to-one activities. There are also four group events that are held within the school year. At these events all the Buddy Student Buddy pairs can mingle and enjoy themselves by broadening their social circles. Although the program runs from mid-fall to late spring, many friendships outlast the dates set out by the organization and stretch through the summer, until the program resumes in September. This is what Best Buddies hopes for. Once Best Buddies has helped create a friendship, it naturally becomes more and more comfortable, and ceases to be tense and formulaic, as any new relationship can be. All society needs is a little education on the Best Buddies program, encouragement, and a little direction to begin these unique friendships.

Too often, adults with intellectual disabilities are casually excluded from social and cultural life. How easily society fails to be aware of all the abilities that a disabled person has. A person with a disability has the ability to be a reliable employee, an all-star athlete, a loving soul mate, and a comforting friend. How strange it is that society concentrates only on the differences that divide us, and is blind to the similarities that should bring us closer together.

Since my freshman year, as a Student Buddy and later the Activities Coordinator at the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, I have directed my efforts towards this worthwhile organization. This year, alongside Christine Fernando, who also has been dedicated to Best Buddies for the last two years, we will take on the roles of Campus Coordinators. With the help of our Host Site Coordinator, Rebecca Lovering-Spencer, our Buddy Advocate, Andy Andianidris, and Laura Bailey, Best Buddies' Volunteer Coordinator for the Greater Toronto Area, Christine and I hope to bring much-needed awareness to the university, while having lots of fun in doing so!

Between the 9th and 12th of August, I was fortunate to represent my campus at the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference, held this year at McMaster University, Hamilton. Young leaders represented universities and colleges from across Canada, from Saint Mary's in Nova Scotia to the Okanagon University in British Columbia. Today 52 colleges and universities participate in Best Buddies Canada, offered in both official languages.

Over the span of the 3-day conference we underwent intensive training, learning how to run the program successfully within our own school communities. We were also given the opportunity to reflect on the growing success of Best Buddies, as we met other Canadians with similar initiatives, devoted to helping those with intellectual disabilities.

I encourage everyone to participate in the Best Buddies program, whether by becoming a Student Buddy, making a donation or by taking our message, our mission, to heart. Catalyze positive change in the world ... in any fathomable way. Good luck to all of this year's Campus Coordinators. I wish you every success with your chapters and sharing the gift of friendship!

Though Best Buddies strives to facilitate friendships between students and peers with intellectual disabilities, the effects of the program are not limited to the students. Society at large experiences the benefits as well. Not only do the parties involved form friendships they would likely never have had the opportunity to form, but communities have the opportunity to see for themselves that we are not that much different from each other after all.

See not with judgmental, discriminating eyes. Rather with a just, candid soul.

For more information, contact Philipp Santiago and Christine Fernando via e-mail: bbc@utsc.utoronto.ca and visit the Best Buddies website: www.bestbuddies.ca