Best Buddies’ has established a global volunteer movement that creates leadership development for people with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD). Today, Best Buddies Connecticut (BBCT), engages more than 2,600 people with and without IDD at 52 schools in CT, impacting the lives of 25,000 state residents.
Learn About Bobby:
Best Buddies changed Bobby’s life. In middle school, when matched with a new friend, he experienced life as a pre-teen…texting, walking to a pizza restaurant, and dancing at a Bar Mitzvah. It was his first social event without his parents.
In high school, Bobby ran Boys Track for four years, went to dances, sports games, and never sat alone at lunch. Best Buddies took care of that. He high-fived friends in hallways and was chosen as Homecoming then Prom King his senior year. Cheshire High School’s climate was forever changed by Best Buddies and its mission to create one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Now as a young adult gaining employment experience at Quinnipiac University, he is an ambassador for Best Buddies, speaking out for inclusion and acceptance. Bobby has a passion for engaging folks and making friends. Again he will participate in the Cheshire Half Marathon/5K footrace and bring new friends to be part of Team Best Buddies. His charismatic personality wins over someone new each spring. He recruits friends throughout the Cheshire community to run… a Cheshire Police Officer, his physical therapists, his high school track coach, his special ed teacher, Best Buddies from surrounding towns, and Quinnipiac students and professors, all who have connected with him and value Best Buddies.
Bobby is the spirit of the Cheshire Half Marathon. It is a community event that involves training with friends, smiles and cheers of encouragement on street corners and a sense of accomplishment when crossing the finish line. How wonderful to be part of something where people acknowledge one's ability instead of one’s disabilities.
Please support Bobby and his fundraising efforts to bring Best Buddies to more middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout Connecticut. Choose to join his team, support another runner on Team Best Buddies, or start your own Team Best Buddies by clicking the link below. Donate today and support Best Buddies and make a difference in someone’s life one friendship at a time.
