Vanessa Perkins joined the Brock University Best Buddies chapter nine years ago, prompted by the support staff at Community Living St. Catharine’s. She’s been participating in the program ever since. As an individual living with autism, she joined Best Buddies in the hopes of meeting new people, getting out in the community, and participating in fun activities. She has become a longstanding participant of the program and a staple at the Brock University chapter.
Everyone at the chapter knows Vanessa, especially since she has taken on a leadership role as a Buddy Advocate. Vanessa explains that as a Buddy Advocate, she represents the participants with disabilities. She encourages people to give her feedback and suggestions for events and serves as a resource for participants to turn to with any issues that may arise. Running the chapter is a group effort and a labour of love; Vanessa works diligently with the Brock University students on the Best Buddies executive team and the St. Catharine’s Community Living facilitator, JoAnne. “JoAnne deserves a shoutout,” she says. “She works very, very hard and puts a lot of time into it.”
She also uses her position as a Buddy Advocate to ensure everyone in the chapter is accommodated. She explains that she is always double checking whether spaces and activities are accessible to everyone. “Believe it or not, I’m usually a shy person,” Vanessa admits. “But this club makes me feel safe. I’m among good people who understand where I’m coming from and that makes a huge difference. I try to put myself in others’ shoes.”
One of Vanessa’s most memorable moments with Best Buddies was at her chapter’s recent Bingo night. She had suffered from a recent injury that left her bound to a wheelchair, causing her to miss multiple Best Buddies events. Bingo was the first event that she was well enough to attend in her wheelchair. The warm welcome she received from everyone at the chapter touched her; students pushed her up the building’s ramps, checked in to make sure she was comfortable, and shared personal stories about their own injuries to cheer her up. “One student told me he got so fed up with his cast he sawed it off himself!” she laughs. “Everyone just rallied around me. They were so excited to see me. And I just about cried. I’m very grateful.”
The community at the Brock chapter has helped Vanessa feel more confident and develop a sense of belonging. She explains that Best Buddies has taught her to communicate and engage with people of all levels of ability. Although some people may be unsure of how to speak to someone with an IDD, they should realize that people with IDDs are people first. They are not their disability. “Just talk to us the way you talk to anybody else,” she explains.
Vanessa shares that the chapter’s last event of the program year – dancing, lunch, and making friendship bracelets – is quickly approaching. This ending is bittersweet because Vanessa’s best buddy of two years, Alison, won’t be at the Brock campus in the upcoming year. Vanessa and Alison first met at the chapter’s Halloween event in 2022. The two hit it off right away, talking and taking silly pictures together in the event’s photo booth. Alison visited Vanessa a few times when she was recovering from her injury, which meant a lot to her. The duo love hanging out at chapter events, going to hockey games, and going out to eat together. Alison assured Vanessa that they would keep in touch and Vanessa is hopeful that she will meet another best buddy next year.
Vanessa is only one of the many buddies who have been impacted by the Best Buddies program. She looks forward to the future of the Brock University chapter and wants anyone considering joining the program to know that it’s a lot of fun and there’s nothing to be afraid of. “I love the program. It’s so important to me and it really helps people with disabilities such as myself.”