Spring is here, which means it’s time for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Saturday, April 9. Best Buddies is an inter-collegiate program to create greater inclusion for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The Eastern Michigan University and University of Michigan chapters will be meeting at Gallup Park for a day-long outing.
Registration will start at 9:00 a.m. Pre-registering is encouraged and can be done at bestbuddieswalk.org.
There will be a 5k run, a walk around the park and a party at 12:30 p.m. Pizza and drinks will be provided. EMU chapter president Joy Chaveriat expects 150-300 people to show up.
“Gallup Park is on Geddes Road, roughly halfway between Eastern and the U of M hospital,” said Chaveriat. “This riverside park was chosen specifically because it is halfway between the two chapters.”
When asked about the practicalities of creating a more inclusive society, Chaveriat said it meant making reasonable accommodations and recognizing people’s strengths. She emphasized getting to know each individual member on a personal level to do this.
“Inclusion means not jumping to conclusions because of your idea of somebody with a disability, get to know them – maybe you will like them, maybe you won't,” she said. “I think people forget that inclusion also does mean recognizing that not everybody always ‘clicks’ with each other. That's okay! It's not inclusive to be friends with somebody because they have a disability. That is taking pity on somebody, which is the opposite of inclusion.”
Best Buddies is a Miami-based non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of people with disabilities. According to its website, it helps people with job security, social interaction and communications skills.
