Be A Buddy!

My cousin Jessica was born with Down syndrome and has become more of a sister to me over the past eight years.  While watching her grow up, I have learned a lot about her disability and personality, and I have had the chance to watch her mother Leigh Anna interact and do a great job parenting her.  By observing my aunt and uncle, I have come to recognize that parenting disabled children can be very difficult and extremely tiresome.  Because of the love and appreciation I now have for these parents, I want to extend my support and service to them hoping to make a difference in the everyday lives of their families.

Be A Buddy is a program that I have started to promote awareness and encourage young people to volunteer and "Be A Buddy" to kids with disabilities.  Through this program volunteers have the opportunity to change lives:

  • Come out and play baseball at Miracle League in Central and Northwest Arkansas with disabled children
  • Participate in Community COnnection's Activities which involve dance, football, soccer, and drama
  • Give parents a chance to sit back and watch their child succeed in a way they never imagined.
My mission through my program is simple:  Help these families by giving of time to let them relax and watch for a change.  Since creating my program in April of this year, I have taken these steps to advance my program:

  • Become official spokesperson for Miracle League
  • Spoken to classes at 16 different Little Rock elementary, junior, and high schools; totaling over 1500 students.
  • Increased Miracle League's volunteer base by 15%
  • Promoted my program at Baptist Health, OrthoArkansas Therapy Systems, Arkansas Traveler's Games, NLR and LR Rotary Club, NLR Junior League, RiverFest, Toad Suck Daze, Greek Food Festival, and spoke with numerous state politicians
Recently, my sister has been crowned Miss Greater Jacksonville and has created a program Teens Nurturing Teens for disabled teens.  Using our testimony is an intense and unique way that we are able as sisters to encourage volunteers to get involved with these disabled families.  

We hope that you enjoy our sites and they motivate you to help these families that have disabled children!
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