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When Kesley Hoover came to Ball State University, she left a best friend with cerebral palsy at home. Her friendship left her with the patience and the passion to pursue a special education major. Now Hoover, along with activities director Sarah Groth, have started the first chapter of Best Buddies at BSU. They are working with Karen Kovac at the Isanogel Center in Muncie to create one-on-one friendships between individuals with disabilities and college students. Best Buddies is an international organization that encourages friendships and employment for people with disabilities. The BSU chapter pairs buddies using a survey students fill out about their interests and activities. Buddies are matched when personalities meet personal hobbies. The comfort level of the student is also taken into account, notes Kovac. “Like you and I have friends, you know some of our friends are better friends than others,” Kovac said. “We’re not going to find that every single person gets along with everybody else in all situations.” Buddies from BSU have the responsibility to contact their buddy at least once a week, either by phone or e-mail. Once a month the pairs will do activities. Groth says these activities can be as simple as watching a movie in the dorm or going out to dinner. Groth also plans one or two big chapter meetings a month where the entire group and their buddies get together for an activity. Groth hopes to set up a Halloween and Christmas party this year. The Isanogel Center provides recreational services to individuals with special needs, and there are a number of different programs for people ages 18-70+. There is also a camp held during the summer for children and adults. Kovac said that the center works closely with Best Buddies and the Student Voluntary Services because it relies mainly on volunteers for its activities. Best Buddies has helped several students at BSU overcome their unease with disabled individuals. Stephen Foster joined Best Buddies with Hoover’s encouragement at the BSU Activities Fair. He was nervous before his first event and expected to be uncomfortable around the individuals there. “It was ... different than I expected. People that I had conversations with, they were just like regular people having conversations, having fun,” Foster said. Listen to Groth, Hoover and Kovac explain why they feel Best Buddies is important to the Isanogel Center and how it helps to erase the boundaries between college students like Foster and those with disabilities. |
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Buddies are matched when personalities meet personal hobbies.
"...they were just like regular people having conversations, having fun.”
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