May 20, 2024 • 30 mins
Step into the world of inclusive sports with us! In this episode, we sit down with Will Gibson, an extraordinary athlete and coach with Down syndrome, alongside Beth Gibson, the visionary executive director and founder of Buddy Up for Life and Tracie Reddy, the dedicated residential operations manager for Boundless and Buddy Ball volunteer. With our host, Scott Light, we dive into Will's sports journey, exploring its profound significance and the importance of community engagement. Prepare for heartwarming stories and insights into the power of community and a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of inclusive sports.
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Episode Transcript
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Scott Light (00:03):
Okay, let's go around the horn really quickly
to our guests to start thisepisode. What is your favorite
sport to play? Will, would youstart us off?
Will Gibson (00:11):
Yes, I would love to. So my favorite sport to play
is tennis and football.
Scott Light (00:15):
He just named two.
Okay, we'll take it. Beth, toyou.
Beth Gibson (00:19):
Pickleball and tennis.
Scott Light (00:20):
All right.
Tracie Reddy (00:21):
I'm gonna go with soccer and football.
Scott Light (00:23):
Okay, we're out of the gate here. Those are quick
answers and that tees up ourconversation today. I promise
I'm going to properly introduceyou to the voices that you heard
in just a second. First, welcometo Well-Being, a podcast brought
to you by Boundless, a nonprofitthat provides residential
support, autism services,primary health care, day
(00:43):
programs, counseling and a wholelot more to children and adults.
Our mission is to build a worldthat realizes the boundless
potential of all people. I'myour host, Scott Light. So our
guests today are athletes andtheir executives, and students
and volunteers. They are allkinds of things. Let me
introduce you to them. We havetwo guests from Buddy Up For
(01:05):
Life, founder and ExecutiveDirector Beth Gibson, and her
son Will who was Buddy Up's veryfirst athlete. Welcome to you
both.
Beth Gibson (01:12):
Thank you.
Will Gibson (01:13):
Thanks.
Scott Light (01:14):
Tracie Reddy is here as well from Boundless. She
is the Residential OperationsManager, and Tracie, you're a
volunteer at Grove City BuddyBall, where several of our
Boundless athletes play ball sowe can't wait to hear more about
that as well. Welcome to you.
Tracie Reddy (01:30):
Thank you.
Scott Light (01:31):
Okay, full disclosure here. My family is
absolutely honored to know Bethand Will and the Buddy Up family
quite well, from your tennis andpickleball events to that super
fun annual gala. Your mission istruly inspiring, Beth, to our
family. So I'm just thrilledthat you and Will are here
today.
Beth Gibson (01:50):
Thank you.
Will Gibson (01:50):
Thanks for having us.
Scott Light (01:52):
Let's go back in history, if we could. The origin
story of Buddy Up is reallypowerful. Beth, you'd play
tennis with your older son, butWill, who has Down syndrome, he
didn't have options for sportsand for fitness. And at that
time, Will was a toddler. Andyou thought, "Okay, this has to
change." And you changed it withthe very first to tennis clinic
(02:15):
that was in 2008. Take us backto that time.
Beth Gibson (02:19):
Sure. Back in 2008, in the world of adaptive sports,
at least in the tennis industry,you were in a wheelchair or you
couldn't afford to play tennis.
So there wasn't a lot ofadaptive programs out there,
especially programs designed forindividuals with Down syndrome.
So we really took the bull bythe horns and created our own
(02:43):
program to provide opportunitiesfor individuals with Down
syndrome.
Scott Light (02:51):
So I did a little history here
second played tennis back in the1500s. So, seriously, and you
know, we have the Greeks tothank for the Olympics. You
know, even centuries beforethat, we've had sports
competitions for centuries andcenturies and Down syndrome was
first described by an Englishphysician named John Langdon
(03:13):
Down in 1862. So now to theserious part of this, why hasn't
Beth, in your opinion, whyhasn't fitness, exercise and
sports been part of the Downsyndrome community?
Beth Gibson (03:26):
What I really think has happened is there's been an
evolution over the years. So ifyou dial back 162 years ago when
Down syndrome was officiallydiagnosed, those individuals
were alienated. So they werealmost hidden at their homes or
they were put in an institution.
Even 50 years ago a lot of ourfolks were probably in
(03:49):
institutions. And if you thinkabout it, when I was in grade
school, I didn't even knowanyone with Down syndrome. I
would walk down the hall andthere might be some kids in the
classroom. So I think 40 yearsago, the objective was to
educate this population and toreally try to help them. I don't
know that people really foundthe potential that they could
(04:14):
really have. So I think, youknow, when you dial back 20-40
years ago, you really had to tapinto and be on board with the
idea that there is endlesspotential for these kids. And
the first goal was probablyeducation. Now, we're like, hey,
especially in the world of Downsyndrome, our because of the
(04:37):
advancements, the medicaladvancements, our population is
living longer. That's becausethings are being diagnosed like
heart challenges, but there'sbeen a lot of open heart
surgeries. A lot of our kids areborn with some medical issues.
So they're addressed. So, butone big obstacle is a lot of our
(04:59):
kids, they do have potential fordiabetes or heart disease, and
they really need a call toaction for fitness. So I think
that's been something that'sbeen evolving over the last
10-15 years is really providingthem with opportunities to have
fitness. And now I think what'shappening and is so incredible
(05:25):
is that they not only haveopportunities in their own
world, such as you know, theboth of our organizations are
offering to our, our studentsand athletes but then also some
of our our athletes like Will,he's playing with the New Albany
High school football team. He'son the New Albany High School
(05:47):
tennis team. So where we've gonein the last 162 years is quite
incredible.
Scott Light (05:55):
Well, let's talk about Will's athletic prowess,
if we can. Will, you're likeyour mom; you are a trailblazer.
You are athlete number one. Sowhat is Buddy Up meant to you?
Will Gibson (06:06):
Buddy Up is my family, and even, I love the
team. Even [when] we go onvacations. So as they have game
team, so it's like, three orfour coaches plus two of my
parents. And whatever I lovethem so much. I cannot live
without them. Yeah.
Scott Light (06:26):
And you get a little emotional talking about
it, don't you?
Will Gibson (06:29):
Yes.
Scott Light (06:30):
Would you tell us about your football team and
your tennis team at New AlbanyHigh?
Will Gibson (06:36):
So for my football team, so like, last year, we
were in championships, buthonestly, I love the team that's
my second family. And even fortennis, [I] love the community,
[I] love the service, and evennow, you can make friends.
Scott Light (06:56):
Now, Will are you playing [pickleball]? Have you
made the switch from tennis topickleball, not that you have to
make a switch, but are you areyou playing both or still tennis
predominantly?
Will Gibson (07:05):
Honestly, I like tennis more than pickleball
because pickleball does not enda point; in tennis, we end a
point.
Scott Light (07:15):
Okay, okay. And I'm gonna tell you folks, you don't
you don't want to mess with Willon the tennis court. I'm just
gonna tell you that right nowbecause I've seen him play.
Tracie, I want to come to you,and we're going to talk about
Grove City Buddy Ball. And bythe way, you've got on your
Grove City Buddy Ball t-shirt,you've got on your Cincinnati
Bengals cap. We're going to talkabout your dedication to both in
(07:35):
a little bit. But I have some, Ihave a late-breaking headline
here. I got a text from anexecutive here at Boundless the
morning of this recording. Thatsaid this: make sure that you
mention that Tracie Reddy is theEmployee Champion of the Year
here at Boundless, which isbasically the Employee of the
(07:57):
Year. Hello, andcongratulations.
Tracie Reddy (08:00):
Thank you.
Scott Light (08:01):
That's awesome.
Tracie Reddy (08:02):
Yeah, I was uh, I was shocked to win. But I'm, I
dedicate a lot of what I do tothis field. I've been involved.
I was with Boundless before itwas Boundless, when it was Step
by Step Academy. I started as abehavior technician, working in
our center-based program, andI've worked my way up to where I
(08:22):
am today.
Scott Light (08:23):
Tell us a little bit about what you do as the
Residential Operations Manager.
Tracie Reddy (08:27):
So I oversee our intensive behavioral residential
sites. I oversee our MSY programthat is in central, kind of out
east. I also oversee our PalmerDonovan location, which is the
most intensive residentialenvironment that is actually in
the entire state of Ohio.
Scott Light (08:47):
Okay.
Tracie Reddy (08:48):
And then I also oversee an emergency respite for
behavioral individuals as well.
Scott Light (08:54):
Let's talk about Grove City Buddy Ball, and for
our listeners, you know what hoponline right now if you can and
check out their logo. Whoeverdesigned this logo is brilliant,
and it's on your t-shirt rightthere, Tracie. It is a baseball
in the shape of a heart. It issuch a cool, cool logo. And
(09:15):
Tracie, I know that you've beenvolunteering at Buddy Ball for
years now; you also have afamilial connection, your
stepson plays Buddy Ball. Sotell us about your whole
connection here.
Tracie Reddy (09:26):
I started volunteering in Buddy Ball,
because I happened to be onshift with an individual that
had a game that night, and Ihave not missed a game since. I
attend, so they have twoseasons. They have a spring
season that has Tuesday nightsfor adults and Saturday is an
all age league. And then in thefall, there's also another adult
(09:50):
league that plays, and yeah, Idon't miss a season at all. The
excitement to watch theindividuals play, the
relationships that we build. Thefirst game of every season is
like a reunion, to see everybodyget to see each other again. The
organization has grown, we usedto only have four adult teams.
(10:14):
And this year, we're actually upto six. So because the
organization has grown so much.
Scott Light (10:21):
If you wouldn't mind, tell us a little bit about
your stepson. He has he hasautism nonverbal.
Tracie Reddy (10:26):
Mmhm.
Scott Light (10:26):
And what has that league play? What is that
sociability, that the sports,the fitness, everything that
sports does for all of us?
What's that been like for him?
Tracie Reddy (10:37):
Gage is the name of my stepson. He didn't really
go out of the home much and do aton activity-wise just because
of lack of knowing what was outthere. I haven't been involved
in Gage's life for except forlike three, almost four years.
So during that time, I was like,you've got to get him involved.
We, he's gotta go, I'm goinganyway. I also have a
(11:01):
13-year-old daughter, who is hispeer and his buddy every time
they play. Just seeing hisexcitement seeing individuals
that he goes to school with, orthat [he] has seen around the
community. Obviously, some ofour Boundless individuals also
participate. So me introducinghim to individuals that I work
(11:22):
with has also been really coolbecause they just get excited
it, for each other andeverything. Watching him develop
his physical movement and workon his gross and fine motor
skills that are involved andjust overall enjoying it has
been phenomenal. We get up onSaturday mornings, staying up is
his highest reinforcer. He willstay up all night on Friday and
(11:45):
Saturday if we let him. But ifwe tell him like on Friday
night, like "Hey, man, don'tforget we have Buddy Ball. Do
you want to stay up all night?
Or do you want us to put you tobed?" He will always choose to
go to bed so that he is wellrested, so that he can
participate in the game.
Scott Light (12:00):
Beth, I'm sure you have a bazillion similar stories
and that you've seen all theseathletes, Will included, but
hundreds and hundreds ofathletes grow like this, not
just physically but emotionallyand mentally.
Beth Gibson (12:13):
Yes. So it's really fun to see the growth of our
athletes, as Tracie was saying,and everyone has their own
trajectory.
Scott Light (12:22):
Sure.
Beth Gibson (12:22):
Right? And, you know, we have some success,
where one student from ourcommunication class was
nonverbal. And now he comes totennis and greets me as "Good
morning, Miss Beth."
Scott Light (12:36):
Wow.
Beth Gibson (12:36):
And that's huge.
That doesn't sound like a lot.
But when someone's 18-years-old,and they've been nonverbal, and
now they're starting tocommunicate, it's life changing,
not only to the parents, but tothe child. So we see a lot of
success with that. We see a lotof success just with our
athletes, as Tracie commented,just, there's so much whether
(12:56):
you're on the baseball field orthe tennis court or pickleball
court, how much they're growingas an athlete and as an
individual and taking thatsocial and emotional development
and confidence to taking themoutside to school and having
them be a more confident andparticipatory student at school.
(13:18):
It's been exciting.
Scott Light (13:19):
Really what we're talking about here, we're
talking about inclusion foreveryone. And let me mention
Buddy Ball's mission statementhere, "Grove City Buddy Ball
will provide opportunities forall persons to play baseball,
regardless of ability, andpromote community support
through volunteerism andsponsorship of these
(13:42):
activities." And I know therethere are so many great
nonprofits, Buddy Up for Lifeinlcuded, that have you know,
similar mission statements,right, but really, and I'd love
for the group to come in here.
Anybody can take it. That's whatwe're talking about. Come one,
come all, come to the field.
Let's go.
Tracie Reddy (13:58):
I will say that the Grove City community in
particular has really embracedthe Buddy Ball organization. The
first responders in Grove Cityalways volunteer one game a
season, and they are the buddiesfor all the athletes, and that
that's the greatest day ever forthe athletes because not only do
they get to hang out withfirefighters and policemen, but
(14:20):
they get to see fire trucks andpolice trucks. But also, it just
brings the community together.
You build these relationships;it's about the inclusion and the
exposure of how theseindividuals deserve to
participate in these activitiesand are doing so on such a great
level. Some of our individualsthat participate in Buddy Ball
(14:42):
are also trainers and things fortheir high school teams. So
their high school teams willcome and support them and
volunteer so it really brings asense of knowledge about the
community as a whole andintroducing and exposing
individuals to working withindividuals with disabilities
that may not have thoseopportunities in other manners.
(15:03):
Buddy Ball actually does a greatjob at communicating with our
local high schools to getNational Honor Society and
things like that involved fortheir volunteer hours. So it's
it's just a great experienceoverall. The community comes
together, all the teams aresponsored, typically by local
(15:24):
businesses in Grove City, thelittle mom-and-pop places that
it's just they take part in theparade, we have a 5k, the
Firecracker 5k, that happens inGrove City. All of that is Buddy
Ball involved as well.
Beth Gibson (15:40):
I just think we're so blessed to be in Columbus, in
general, there's just a lot ofsupport looking in Columbus.
Specifically, you know, ourprograms, our our life skill
programs are in New Albany. Andwe've had a lot of great support
with New Albany, both withSpecial Olympics and Buddy Up
for Life. And I just said, it'samazing to have those first
(16:03):
responders be a part ofbasketball games, football
games, you know, we have OfficerKelly who comes and helps us
with our communities classtalking about safety. And our
the Market Street businesseswhere a lot of our communication
classes, our students areactually out at the library.
They're out at Starbucks. Andthey're welcomed, you know, to
(16:25):
go to Elliot Cooper and LearningExpress, and they take time out
of their day to engage with ourstudents. They'll close the
store or keep it open. So thecommunity can see and it's
really been a complete changefrom what you said back in 1862.
Scott Light (16:46):
Right.
Beth Gibson (16:46):
Right?
Scott Light (16:46):
Right.
Beth Gibson (16:47):
And it's just amazing. You know, we have a
great relationship with HealthyNew Albany and just having
different programs and ourcooking class there. So as you
said, the more we're out there,the more other community members
then partake and volunteer inour program and want to be a
part of it. So which is a hugeimpact, because all of our
(17:10):
programs not only impact ourathletes and students, but I
think we leave a really bigfootprint on the volunteers, as
well.
Scott Light (17:19):
Yeah. Inclusion leads to communities, that
you're talking about,communities lead to awareness
and education and just all theseconcentric circles, right, that
just keep growing and buildingwith each other. Let's talk
about growth and impact in thisway, Beth? Buddy Up started
here. You went to Cincinnatiwith that very first chapter
(17:41):
outside Central Ohio, and nowyou have 25 plus chapters.
Nationally, you have all kindsof fitness classes, you have
events, you have those lifeskills, courses, coaches,
volunteers, you have that annualgala that absolutely rocks and
packs the house at Kemba Livedowntown. How many people and
(18:02):
families does Buddy Up touchnow?
Beth Gibson (18:05):
You know, we're well over 2000 or so when you
think about just our athletes.
That's upwards, individualathletes is over 750 or so. So
then when you start thinkingabout their family, which is
huge, and then the volunteers iswell over 1000. So it's been a
lot of fun to see from Will andCoach Doug to where we are
(18:28):
today.
Scott Light (18:31):
Right?
Tracie Reddy (18:31):
The growth is exponential, and there's really
no other way to kind of put it.
My daughter brings her friendthat she happens to be hanging
out with, and they come to watchone game and they're like, "I'm
coming every week." It's a lotof fun. The Buddy Ball adult
league definitely is kind of myhighest reinforcer. Those
(18:52):
individuals have been playingthe majority of their lives in
the organization since it's beeninception. And they are who they
are. They've gotten such a greatbanter in relationship with the
board members of Buddy Ball andthe coaches and the players that
return year from year. So, tosee their personalities and see
(19:13):
them be comfortable and beactive in their communities is
just, I mean, nothing fills theheart better. It's just simply
amazing. The growth with ourindividuals is also incredible.
Jackson, who I know that you'vespoken about in previous
podcasts, he is one of theresidents that is under my care.
(19:33):
When he first started playingBuddy Ball, you know, we went
from an individual that wecouldn't get out of his van to
come onto the field, to anindividual that stayed in the
outfield and played outfield forboth teams because he didn't
want to go to bat. And now hebats. Sometimes he runs the
bases, sometimes he strides buthe now takes full part in Buddy
(19:58):
Ball without any problem. Wetell them it's Buddy Ball day;
he goes, grabs his shirt andhe's ready to go.
Scott Light (20:07):
That's awesome.
Tracie Reddy (20:08):
Yeah, it's just see the growth in the athletes
like that and things like that,from somebody was like, "I'm
just gonna sit in my car andwatch," to somebody that goes
independently and grabs theirbat and goes up and bats the
ball independently. It's justsimply amazing. The other really
amazing part about Buddy Ball isthe field. Like, it's made of
(20:31):
special materials so thatwheelchairs can access it.
Anybody in any ability level canuse it. And they actually have a
batting machine for individualsthat don't necessarily have the
motor skills to hold a bat. Youpull a string, and the bat hits
the ball off the tee and thenthe volunteers are still able to
(20:53):
move the individuals inwheelchairs around the field.
But yeah, it's just, there'sjust nothing like it.
Scott Light (21:00):
It's this- it's a rubberized field right? And like
you said, it's built toaccommodate wheelchairs, other
assistive devices. I mean, it isbuilt to accommodate.
Tracie Reddy (21:11):
Yeah, yeah. It's all inclusive. All of the teams
are named after normal baseballteams. So you get some of that
banter included as well. Youknow, like the Reds, Braves long
standing rivalry, or Cleveland.
You know, so you have some ofthat building to it as well.
It's just, yeah, it's heartfilling.
Scott Light (21:34):
Tracie, both you and Beth have mentioned
volunteers. All nonprofits relyon all kinds of volunteers to
make the mission go. Beth, youhave a lot of volunteers as
well, with such big hearts. Whatdo they tell you? Why do they
keep coming back to Buddy Up ForLife, not just to support the
(21:56):
events, but just to be there dayin day out to help you?
Tracie Reddy (21:59):
A couple of reasons, I think, you know, our
volunteers are really vested inthe mission, they really want to
see our athletes and, andstudents grow and evolve. They
have really big hearts. And Ithink they really love the
relationship that they make withtheir athletes or students. I
(22:21):
think it really becomes lifechanging. And you mentioned a
lot of we get, we get highschoolers that come in. And they
may come in for, you know,different reasons. They may
have, you know, hours to fill,but then they stay. And I think
they stay because of theenvironment that we've created.
(22:41):
That, you know, they'reinspired. And what's fun to see
is sometimes their professionsgo into helping individuals with
intellectual or developmentaldisabilities. It's life changing
for them. And I, as well alludesto a lot and talked a lot about
and why he gets so emotional, itreally becomes family. And I
(23:04):
just think it becomes a part of,of what they love. And once they
get it, they're hooked.
Oh yeah.
Beth Gibson (23:10):
They're hooked. And they and they stay. So it's,
we're so blessed.
Scott Light (23:14):
Can we also mention your coaches? I mean, again, at
your events, your tennis events,zumba classes, your pickleball
events, your coaches are soenergetic, so knowledgeable,
first of all, but seriously,they are just running around and
so encouraging and so positive.
They're awesome mentors.
Beth Gibson (23:35):
They are and it started, I mean, a lot of our
leaders, you know, we bring alot of energy to the table and
that's, that's the environmentwe want to create. And we want
someone out there having a lotof energy and having a lot of
fun. And it's magnetic, youknow, I just say,
Scott Light (23:52):
It is, it is.
Beth Gibson (23:53):
You know, and we see people, we have a coach that
was a little quiet and like, oh,I don't know. And then once once
they're in, they're hooked. LikeI'm like, oh my goodness, they
just, they're the EnergizerBunny. So, it some people take
on a whole new light.
Scott Light (24:07):
Yeah, you've seen the same thing I'm sure on the
baseball field.
Tracie Reddy (24:09):
Oh, yeah, without question or hesitation. You
just, they come in and they'relike, I'm not so sure about
this. But then usually by theend of the first inning, it's
their their hooked. And there'sno turning back.
Scott Light (24:21):
Yeah. Will have there been some coaches, do you
want to talk about a couple ofcoaches at Buddy Up?
Beth Gibson (24:26):
Your a coach.
Will Gibson (24:27):
Yes.
Beth Gibson (24:27):
Will's a coach.
Scott Light (24:28):
Yeah.
Beth Gibson (24:29):
Do you have any favorite coaches that inspired
you?
Will Gibson (24:31):
I cannot name some, but it's like a hard decision
right now. But one of myfavorite coaches, it's like the
founder that started Buddy Upthat is Doug. He's, he's my
favorite. He's part of myfamily.
Scott Light (24:47):
And Will what do you coach now? What sports?
Will Gibson (24:51):
I coach tennis.
Beth Gibson (24:53):
Where are you coaching tennis? Will, you have
lots of different places whereyour coach.
Will Gibson (24:57):
Oh, yeah. I my job is working out Good tweet. So it
is teach kids how to playtennis, and even I volunteer in
different places like it foronly 10 G. And for my senior
seminar, I teach tennis to aprimary building. So I teach
first through third graders,immediately, same format as per
(25:17):
year, from our philosophy islike, like we do this thing,
like when you give him a highfive low, however medium, they
stand up, then give it up, likereally high, they stand up, get
high five, then they getmotivated, then they can play
again.
Scott Light (25:36):
That's great.
That's great. How long is Willbeen coaching Beth?
Beth Gibson (25:39):
For over two years.
So I think around when he was14, he made the switch from
athlete to buddy. And then inthe last two years, he's been
coaching,
Scott Light (25:47):
And did he come to you and say, hey, I want to
coach?
Beth Gibson (25:52):
He came to us when he wanted to volunteer. And as
he spoke about, when we do a lotof our openings, we throw them
in. First, when he was reallyyoung, we threw him in to show
him how to deal with badbehavior, because we might be
traveling. And he was six yearsold and not having it. So he's a
perfect example. And then heevolved into throw him in as a
(26:15):
volunteer. And he started whatwe started seeing is that he
really connected with theathletes. So when an athlete was
breaking down or in trouble, hewas always the first person to
go in and help. And he reallyenjoyed that. So that's when he
came to us said he always wantedto be a buddy. And then actually
Coach Doug thought that he wassuch a strong buddy, that it was
(26:35):
time for him to start coaching.
Scott Light (26:37):
What does it mean to be a buddy, Will?
Will Gibson (26:39):
A buddy is like, their given buddies for to begin
with. But how to be a buddy? Soit's like, you have a board with
an athlete. But it's like theathlete's name, then a buddy
name, then there will be line upbefore today starts. First we
did two laps with a lot betterathlete. After the morning is
(27:05):
done, we did these are fitnessstations. The buddies is helping
the athletes wherever they'restruggling with the world of
football, the buddy can helpthem.
Scott Light (27:16):
If people want to get in touch with Buddy Up For
Life, Beth, what's the best waythey can do that?
Beth Gibson (27:21):
Best way is go to our website and they can go to
Buddy Up For Life.org. Or checkus out on Facebook, Instagram,
all the social media areas, orgive us a call. [We're] happy to
have anyone join us.
Scott Light (27:36):
Okay, and the Buddy Ball website is Grove City Buddy
Ball.com. And Tracie, on thatsite there's even a volunteer
drop down tab with signups rightthere.
Tracie Reddy (27:46):
Yeah. And they actually just posted all of the
schedules for our spring league.
And then they also have aFacebook page as well. I highly
recommend following theirFacebook page, they not only
include all the Buddy Ballinformation, but they also post
a lot of different events forthe entire population of
individuals with disabilities inregards to different things
(28:08):
happening around Columbus.
Scott Light (28:11):
As we start to wrap up our conversation that let's
talk about a couple of thingsthat that Will specifically is
doing next. So Will, you'reabout to graduate high school.
Will Gibson (28:21):
Yes.
Scott Light (28:22):
Congratulations.
Will Gibson (28:23):
Thank you.
Scott Light (28:23):
What's next?
Will Gibson (28:24):
Like I'm going to college. I'm going to Vanderbilt
University, so that's nextsteps.
Scott Light (28:29):
And you're gonna be you're gonna be moving away from
home. You're going to the stateof Tennessee.
Will Gibson (28:32):
Yeah. Love-hate, but I get used to it.
Scott Light (28:35):
Are you going to miss your mom?
Will Gibson (28:38):
So much.
Scott Light (28:40):
Oh my goodness. I think we're all getting a little
teary after that.
Beth Gibson (28:46):
It's gonna be a tough one. It's what we've
worked hard for but we'reexcited.
Scott Light (28:51):
Beth and Will are holding hands now here in our
Boundless studio. That this isjust a great way to to end it
here.
Beth, Tracie to anyone out therelistening. And they may want to
volunteer, not just to BuddyBall or to Buddy Up For Life.
But to volunteer anywhere as amentor, a coach or a buddy to
(29:15):
any great organization. What'syour elevator pitch as to why
they should do it? Take thatstep to be a volunteer?
Beth Gibson (29:22):
I think you need to take that step to show up. You
really need to show up rightnow. And once you're there,
you're hooked. You just need tobe open minded, open heart and
ready to have a blast. And I'msure I can speak for Tracie on
this, promise you it's lifechanging.
Tracie Reddy (29:39):
1000% Yeah, don't worry about stepping up. Don't
think about how you're going tobe viewed the individuals don't
pay attention to how they'reviewed. Everybody is so
accepting and just showing upfor that first time you'll be
back again. There's really noavoiding it. Buddy Ball is by
(30:01):
far my highest personalreinforcer. And everybody I've
introduced to the sport as well.
Scott Light (30:09):
This has been a great conversation. Thank you
all for being here. Will, goodluck at Vandy. Okay, come back
anytime.
Will Gibson (30:16):
Thanks.
Scott Light (30:17):
Thanks to our listeners as well and don't
forget you can be part ofepisodes to come. You can email
us your questions or comments atpodcast at I am Boundless.org.
This is the Well-Being podcastbrought to you by Boundless
Okay, let's go around the horn really quickly
to our guests to start thisepisode. What is your favorite
sport to play? Will, would youstart us off?
Will Gibson (00:11):
Yes, I would love to. So my favorite sport to play
is tennis and football.
Scott Light (00:15):
He just named two.
Okay, we'll take it. Beth, toyou.
Beth Gibson (00:19):
Pickleball and tennis.
Scott Light (00:20):
All right.
Tracie Reddy (00:21):
I'm gonna go with soccer and football.
Scott Light (00:23):
Okay, we're out of the gate here. Those are quick
answers and that tees up ourconversation today. I promise
I'm going to properly introduceyou to the voices that you heard
in just a second. First, welcometo Well-Being, a podcast brought
to you by Boundless, a nonprofitthat provides residential
support, autism services,primary health care, day
(00:43):
programs, counseling and a wholelot more to children and adults.
Our mission is to build a worldthat realizes the boundless
potential of all people. I'myour host, Scott Light. So our
guests today are athletes andtheir executives, and students
and volunteers. They are allkinds of things. Let me
introduce you to them. We havetwo guests from Buddy Up For
(01:05):
Life, founder and ExecutiveDirector Beth Gibson, and her
son Will who was Buddy Up's veryfirst athlete. Welcome to you
both.
Beth Gibson (01:12):
Thank you.
Will Gibson (01:13):
Thanks.
Scott Light (01:14):
Tracie Reddy is here as well from Boundless. She
is the Residential OperationsManager, and Tracie, you're a
volunteer at Grove City BuddyBall, where several of our
Boundless athletes play ball sowe can't wait to hear more about
that as well. Welcome to you.
Tracie Reddy (01:30):
Thank you.
Scott Light (01:31):
Okay, full disclosure here. My family is
absolutely honored to know Bethand Will and the Buddy Up family
quite well, from your tennis andpickleball events to that super
fun annual gala. Your mission istruly inspiring, Beth, to our
family. So I'm just thrilledthat you and Will are here
today.
Beth Gibson (01:50):
Thank you.
Will Gibson (01:50):
Thanks for having us.
Scott Light (01:52):
Let's go back in history, if we could. The origin
story of Buddy Up is reallypowerful. Beth, you'd play
tennis with your older son, butWill, who has Down syndrome, he
didn't have options for sportsand for fitness. And at that
time, Will was a toddler. Andyou thought, "Okay, this has to
change." And you changed it withthe very first to tennis clinic
(02:15):
that was in 2008. Take us backto that time.
Beth Gibson (02:19):
Sure. Back in 2008, in the world of adaptive sports,
at least in the tennis industry,you were in a wheelchair or you
couldn't afford to play tennis.
So there wasn't a lot ofadaptive programs out there,
especially programs designed forindividuals with Down syndrome.
So we really took the bull bythe horns and created our own
(02:43):
program to provide opportunitiesfor individuals with Down
syndrome.
Scott Light (02:51):
So I did a little history here
second played tennis back in the1500s. So, seriously, and you
know, we have the Greeks tothank for the Olympics. You
know, even centuries beforethat, we've had sports
competitions for centuries andcenturies and Down syndrome was
first described by an Englishphysician named John Langdon
(03:13):
Down in 1862. So now to theserious part of this, why hasn't
Beth, in your opinion, whyhasn't fitness, exercise and
sports been part of the Downsyndrome community?
Beth Gibson (03:26):
What I really think has happened is there's been an
evolution over the years. So ifyou dial back 162 years ago when
Down syndrome was officiallydiagnosed, those individuals
were alienated. So they werealmost hidden at their homes or
they were put in an institution.
Even 50 years ago a lot of ourfolks were probably in
(03:49):
institutions. And if you thinkabout it, when I was in grade
school, I didn't even knowanyone with Down syndrome. I
would walk down the hall andthere might be some kids in the
classroom. So I think 40 yearsago, the objective was to
educate this population and toreally try to help them. I don't
know that people really foundthe potential that they could
(04:14):
really have. So I think, youknow, when you dial back 20-40
years ago, you really had to tapinto and be on board with the
idea that there is endlesspotential for these kids. And
the first goal was probablyeducation. Now, we're like, hey,
especially in the world of Downsyndrome, our because of the
(04:37):
advancements, the medicaladvancements, our population is
living longer. That's becausethings are being diagnosed like
heart challenges, but there'sbeen a lot of open heart
surgeries. A lot of our kids areborn with some medical issues.
So they're addressed. So, butone big obstacle is a lot of our
(04:59):
kids, they do have potential fordiabetes or heart disease, and
they really need a call toaction for fitness. So I think
that's been something that'sbeen evolving over the last
10-15 years is really providingthem with opportunities to have
fitness. And now I think what'shappening and is so incredible
(05:25):
is that they not only haveopportunities in their own
world, such as you know, theboth of our organizations are
offering to our, our studentsand athletes but then also some
of our our athletes like Will,he's playing with the New Albany
High school football team. He'son the New Albany High School
(05:47):
tennis team. So where we've gonein the last 162 years is quite
incredible.
Scott Light (05:55):
Well, let's talk about Will's athletic prowess,
if we can. Will, you're likeyour mom; you are a trailblazer.
You are athlete number one. Sowhat is Buddy Up meant to you?
Will Gibson (06:06):
Buddy Up is my family, and even, I love the
team. Even [when] we go onvacations. So as they have game
team, so it's like, three orfour coaches plus two of my
parents. And whatever I lovethem so much. I cannot live
without them. Yeah.
Scott Light (06:26):
And you get a little emotional talking about
it, don't you?
Will Gibson (06:29):
Yes.
Scott Light (06:30):
Would you tell us about your football team and
your tennis team at New AlbanyHigh?
Will Gibson (06:36):
So for my football team, so like, last year, we
were in championships, buthonestly, I love the team that's
my second family. And even fortennis, [I] love the community,
[I] love the service, and evennow, you can make friends.
Scott Light (06:56):
Now, Will are you playing [pickleball]? Have you
made the switch from tennis topickleball, not that you have to
make a switch, but are you areyou playing both or still tennis
predominantly?
Will Gibson (07:05):
Honestly, I like tennis more than pickleball
because pickleball does not enda point; in tennis, we end a
point.
Scott Light (07:15):
Okay, okay. And I'm gonna tell you folks, you don't
you don't want to mess with Willon the tennis court. I'm just
gonna tell you that right nowbecause I've seen him play.
Tracie, I want to come to you,and we're going to talk about
Grove City Buddy Ball. And bythe way, you've got on your
Grove City Buddy Ball t-shirt,you've got on your Cincinnati
Bengals cap. We're going to talkabout your dedication to both in
(07:35):
a little bit. But I have some, Ihave a late-breaking headline
here. I got a text from anexecutive here at Boundless the
morning of this recording. Thatsaid this: make sure that you
mention that Tracie Reddy is theEmployee Champion of the Year
here at Boundless, which isbasically the Employee of the
(07:57):
Year. Hello, andcongratulations.
Tracie Reddy (08:00):
Thank you.
Scott Light (08:01):
That's awesome.
Tracie Reddy (08:02):
Yeah, I was uh, I was shocked to win. But I'm, I
dedicate a lot of what I do tothis field. I've been involved.
I was with Boundless before itwas Boundless, when it was Step
by Step Academy. I started as abehavior technician, working in
our center-based program, andI've worked my way up to where I
(08:22):
am today.
Scott Light (08:23):
Tell us a little bit about what you do as the
Residential Operations Manager.
Tracie Reddy (08:27):
So I oversee our intensive behavioral residential
sites. I oversee our MSY programthat is in central, kind of out
east. I also oversee our PalmerDonovan location, which is the
most intensive residentialenvironment that is actually in
the entire state of Ohio.
Scott Light (08:47):
Okay.
Tracie Reddy (08:48):
And then I also oversee an emergency respite for
behavioral individuals as well.
Scott Light (08:54):
Let's talk about Grove City Buddy Ball, and for
our listeners, you know what hoponline right now if you can and
check out their logo. Whoeverdesigned this logo is brilliant,
and it's on your t-shirt rightthere, Tracie. It is a baseball
in the shape of a heart. It issuch a cool, cool logo. And
(09:15):
Tracie, I know that you've beenvolunteering at Buddy Ball for
years now; you also have afamilial connection, your
stepson plays Buddy Ball. Sotell us about your whole
connection here.
Tracie Reddy (09:26):
I started volunteering in Buddy Ball,
because I happened to be onshift with an individual that
had a game that night, and Ihave not missed a game since. I
attend, so they have twoseasons. They have a spring
season that has Tuesday nightsfor adults and Saturday is an
all age league. And then in thefall, there's also another adult
(09:50):
league that plays, and yeah, Idon't miss a season at all. The
excitement to watch theindividuals play, the
relationships that we build. Thefirst game of every season is
like a reunion, to see everybodyget to see each other again. The
organization has grown, we usedto only have four adult teams.
(10:14):
And this year, we're actually upto six. So because the
organization has grown so much.
Scott Light (10:21):
If you wouldn't mind, tell us a little bit about
your stepson. He has he hasautism nonverbal.
Tracie Reddy (10:26):
Mmhm.
Scott Light (10:26):
And what has that league play? What is that
sociability, that the sports,the fitness, everything that
sports does for all of us?
What's that been like for him?
Tracie Reddy (10:37):
Gage is the name of my stepson. He didn't really
go out of the home much and do aton activity-wise just because
of lack of knowing what was outthere. I haven't been involved
in Gage's life for except forlike three, almost four years.
So during that time, I was like,you've got to get him involved.
We, he's gotta go, I'm goinganyway. I also have a
(11:01):
13-year-old daughter, who is hispeer and his buddy every time
they play. Just seeing hisexcitement seeing individuals
that he goes to school with, orthat [he] has seen around the
community. Obviously, some ofour Boundless individuals also
participate. So me introducinghim to individuals that I work
(11:22):
with has also been really coolbecause they just get excited
it, for each other andeverything. Watching him develop
his physical movement and workon his gross and fine motor
skills that are involved andjust overall enjoying it has
been phenomenal. We get up onSaturday mornings, staying up is
his highest reinforcer. He willstay up all night on Friday and
(11:45):
Saturday if we let him. But ifwe tell him like on Friday
night, like "Hey, man, don'tforget we have Buddy Ball. Do
you want to stay up all night?
Or do you want us to put you tobed?" He will always choose to
go to bed so that he is wellrested, so that he can
participate in the game.
Scott Light (12:00):
Beth, I'm sure you have a bazillion similar stories
and that you've seen all theseathletes, Will included, but
hundreds and hundreds ofathletes grow like this, not
just physically but emotionallyand mentally.
Beth Gibson (12:13):
Yes. So it's really fun to see the growth of our
athletes, as Tracie was saying,and everyone has their own
trajectory.
Scott Light (12:22):
Sure.
Beth Gibson (12:22):
Right? And, you know, we have some success,
where one student from ourcommunication class was
nonverbal. And now he comes totennis and greets me as "Good
morning, Miss Beth."
Scott Light (12:36):
Wow.
Beth Gibson (12:36):
And that's huge.
That doesn't sound like a lot.
But when someone's 18-years-old,and they've been nonverbal, and
now they're starting tocommunicate, it's life changing,
not only to the parents, but tothe child. So we see a lot of
success with that. We see a lotof success just with our
athletes, as Tracie commented,just, there's so much whether
(12:56):
you're on the baseball field orthe tennis court or pickleball
court, how much they're growingas an athlete and as an
individual and taking thatsocial and emotional development
and confidence to taking themoutside to school and having
them be a more confident andparticipatory student at school.
(13:18):
It's been exciting.
Scott Light (13:19):
Really what we're talking about here, we're
talking about inclusion foreveryone. And let me mention
Buddy Ball's mission statementhere, "Grove City Buddy Ball
will provide opportunities forall persons to play baseball,
regardless of ability, andpromote community support
through volunteerism andsponsorship of these
(13:42):
activities." And I know therethere are so many great
nonprofits, Buddy Up for Lifeinlcuded, that have you know,
similar mission statements,right, but really, and I'd love
for the group to come in here.
Anybody can take it. That's whatwe're talking about. Come one,
come all, come to the field.
Let's go.
Tracie Reddy (13:58):
I will say that the Grove City community in
particular has really embracedthe Buddy Ball organization. The
first responders in Grove Cityalways volunteer one game a
season, and they are the buddiesfor all the athletes, and that
that's the greatest day ever forthe athletes because not only do
they get to hang out withfirefighters and policemen, but
(14:20):
they get to see fire trucks andpolice trucks. But also, it just
brings the community together.
You build these relationships;it's about the inclusion and the
exposure of how theseindividuals deserve to
participate in these activitiesand are doing so on such a great
level. Some of our individualsthat participate in Buddy Ball
(14:42):
are also trainers and things fortheir high school teams. So
their high school teams willcome and support them and
volunteer so it really brings asense of knowledge about the
community as a whole andintroducing and exposing
individuals to working withindividuals with disabilities
that may not have thoseopportunities in other manners.
(15:03):
Buddy Ball actually does a greatjob at communicating with our
local high schools to getNational Honor Society and
things like that involved fortheir volunteer hours. So it's
it's just a great experienceoverall. The community comes
together, all the teams aresponsored, typically by local
(15:24):
businesses in Grove City, thelittle mom-and-pop places that
it's just they take part in theparade, we have a 5k, the
Firecracker 5k, that happens inGrove City. All of that is Buddy
Ball involved as well.
Beth Gibson (15:40):
I just think we're so blessed to be in Columbus, in
general, there's just a lot ofsupport looking in Columbus.
Specifically, you know, ourprograms, our our life skill
programs are in New Albany. Andwe've had a lot of great support
with New Albany, both withSpecial Olympics and Buddy Up
for Life. And I just said, it'samazing to have those first
(16:03):
responders be a part ofbasketball games, football
games, you know, we have OfficerKelly who comes and helps us
with our communities classtalking about safety. And our
the Market Street businesseswhere a lot of our communication
classes, our students areactually out at the library.
They're out at Starbucks. Andthey're welcomed, you know, to
(16:25):
go to Elliot Cooper and LearningExpress, and they take time out
of their day to engage with ourstudents. They'll close the
store or keep it open. So thecommunity can see and it's
really been a complete changefrom what you said back in 1862.
Scott Light (16:46):
Right.
Beth Gibson (16:46):
Right?
Scott Light (16:46):
Right.
Beth Gibson (16:47):
And it's just amazing. You know, we have a
great relationship with HealthyNew Albany and just having
different programs and ourcooking class there. So as you
said, the more we're out there,the more other community members
then partake and volunteer inour program and want to be a
part of it. So which is a hugeimpact, because all of our
(17:10):
programs not only impact ourathletes and students, but I
think we leave a really bigfootprint on the volunteers, as
well.
Scott Light (17:19):
Yeah. Inclusion leads to communities, that
you're talking about,communities lead to awareness
and education and just all theseconcentric circles, right, that
just keep growing and buildingwith each other. Let's talk
about growth and impact in thisway, Beth? Buddy Up started
here. You went to Cincinnatiwith that very first chapter
(17:41):
outside Central Ohio, and nowyou have 25 plus chapters.
Nationally, you have all kindsof fitness classes, you have
events, you have those lifeskills, courses, coaches,
volunteers, you have that annualgala that absolutely rocks and
packs the house at Kemba Livedowntown. How many people and
(18:02):
families does Buddy Up touchnow?
Beth Gibson (18:05):
You know, we're well over 2000 or so when you
think about just our athletes.
That's upwards, individualathletes is over 750 or so. So
then when you start thinkingabout their family, which is
huge, and then the volunteers iswell over 1000. So it's been a
lot of fun to see from Will andCoach Doug to where we are
(18:28):
today.
Scott Light (18:31):
Right?
Tracie Reddy (18:31):
The growth is exponential, and there's really
no other way to kind of put it.
My daughter brings her friendthat she happens to be hanging
out with, and they come to watchone game and they're like, "I'm
coming every week." It's a lotof fun. The Buddy Ball adult
league definitely is kind of myhighest reinforcer. Those
(18:52):
individuals have been playingthe majority of their lives in
the organization since it's beeninception. And they are who they
are. They've gotten such a greatbanter in relationship with the
board members of Buddy Ball andthe coaches and the players that
return year from year. So, tosee their personalities and see
(19:13):
them be comfortable and beactive in their communities is
just, I mean, nothing fills theheart better. It's just simply
amazing. The growth with ourindividuals is also incredible.
Jackson, who I know that you'vespoken about in previous
podcasts, he is one of theresidents that is under my care.
(19:33):
When he first started playingBuddy Ball, you know, we went
from an individual that wecouldn't get out of his van to
come onto the field, to anindividual that stayed in the
outfield and played outfield forboth teams because he didn't
want to go to bat. And now hebats. Sometimes he runs the
bases, sometimes he strides buthe now takes full part in Buddy
(19:58):
Ball without any problem. Wetell them it's Buddy Ball day;
he goes, grabs his shirt andhe's ready to go.
Scott Light (20:07):
That's awesome.
Tracie Reddy (20:08):
Yeah, it's just see the growth in the athletes
like that and things like that,from somebody was like, "I'm
just gonna sit in my car andwatch," to somebody that goes
independently and grabs theirbat and goes up and bats the
ball independently. It's justsimply amazing. The other really
amazing part about Buddy Ball isthe field. Like, it's made of
(20:31):
special materials so thatwheelchairs can access it.
Anybody in any ability level canuse it. And they actually have a
batting machine for individualsthat don't necessarily have the
motor skills to hold a bat. Youpull a string, and the bat hits
the ball off the tee and thenthe volunteers are still able to
(20:53):
move the individuals inwheelchairs around the field.
But yeah, it's just, there'sjust nothing like it.
Scott Light (21:00):
It's this- it's a rubberized field right? And like
you said, it's built toaccommodate wheelchairs, other
assistive devices. I mean, it isbuilt to accommodate.
Tracie Reddy (21:11):
Yeah, yeah. It's all inclusive. All of the teams
are named after normal baseballteams. So you get some of that
banter included as well. Youknow, like the Reds, Braves long
standing rivalry, or Cleveland.
You know, so you have some ofthat building to it as well.
It's just, yeah, it's heartfilling.
Scott Light (21:34):
Tracie, both you and Beth have mentioned
volunteers. All nonprofits relyon all kinds of volunteers to
make the mission go. Beth, youhave a lot of volunteers as
well, with such big hearts. Whatdo they tell you? Why do they
keep coming back to Buddy Up ForLife, not just to support the
(21:56):
events, but just to be there dayin day out to help you?
Tracie Reddy (21:59):
A couple of reasons, I think, you know, our
volunteers are really vested inthe mission, they really want to
see our athletes and, andstudents grow and evolve. They
have really big hearts. And Ithink they really love the
relationship that they make withtheir athletes or students. I
(22:21):
think it really becomes lifechanging. And you mentioned a
lot of we get, we get highschoolers that come in. And they
may come in for, you know,different reasons. They may
have, you know, hours to fill,but then they stay. And I think
they stay because of theenvironment that we've created.
(22:41):
That, you know, they'reinspired. And what's fun to see
is sometimes their professionsgo into helping individuals with
intellectual or developmentaldisabilities. It's life changing
for them. And I, as well alludesto a lot and talked a lot about
and why he gets so emotional, itreally becomes family. And I
(23:04):
just think it becomes a part of,of what they love. And once they
get it, they're hooked.
Oh yeah.
Beth Gibson (23:10):
They're hooked. And they and they stay. So it's,
we're so blessed.
Scott Light (23:14):
Can we also mention your coaches? I mean, again, at
your events, your tennis events,zumba classes, your pickleball
events, your coaches are soenergetic, so knowledgeable,
first of all, but seriously,they are just running around and
so encouraging and so positive.
They're awesome mentors.
Beth Gibson (23:35):
They are and it started, I mean, a lot of our
leaders, you know, we bring alot of energy to the table and
that's, that's the environmentwe want to create. And we want
someone out there having a lotof energy and having a lot of
fun. And it's magnetic, youknow, I just say,
Scott Light (23:52):
It is, it is.
Beth Gibson (23:53):
You know, and we see people, we have a coach that
was a little quiet and like, oh,I don't know. And then once once
they're in, they're hooked. LikeI'm like, oh my goodness, they
just, they're the EnergizerBunny. So, it some people take
on a whole new light.
Scott Light (24:07):
Yeah, you've seen the same thing I'm sure on the
baseball field.
Tracie Reddy (24:09):
Oh, yeah, without question or hesitation. You
just, they come in and they'relike, I'm not so sure about
this. But then usually by theend of the first inning, it's
their their hooked. And there'sno turning back.
Scott Light (24:21):
Yeah. Will have there been some coaches, do you
want to talk about a couple ofcoaches at Buddy Up?
Beth Gibson (24:26):
Your a coach.
Will Gibson (24:27):
Yes.
Beth Gibson (24:27):
Will's a coach.
Scott Light (24:28):
Yeah.
Beth Gibson (24:29):
Do you have any favorite coaches that inspired
you?
Will Gibson (24:31):
I cannot name some, but it's like a hard decision
right now. But one of myfavorite coaches, it's like the
founder that started Buddy Upthat is Doug. He's, he's my
favorite. He's part of myfamily.
Scott Light (24:47):
And Will what do you coach now? What sports?
Will Gibson (24:51):
I coach tennis.
Beth Gibson (24:53):
Where are you coaching tennis? Will, you have
lots of different places whereyour coach.
Will Gibson (24:57):
Oh, yeah. I my job is working out Good tweet. So it
is teach kids how to playtennis, and even I volunteer in
different places like it foronly 10 G. And for my senior
seminar, I teach tennis to aprimary building. So I teach
first through third graders,immediately, same format as per
(25:17):
year, from our philosophy islike, like we do this thing,
like when you give him a highfive low, however medium, they
stand up, then give it up, likereally high, they stand up, get
high five, then they getmotivated, then they can play
again.
Scott Light (25:36):
That's great.
That's great. How long is Willbeen coaching Beth?
Beth Gibson (25:39):
For over two years.
So I think around when he was14, he made the switch from
athlete to buddy. And then inthe last two years, he's been
coaching,
Scott Light (25:47):
And did he come to you and say, hey, I want to
coach?
Beth Gibson (25:52):
He came to us when he wanted to volunteer. And as
he spoke about, when we do a lotof our openings, we throw them
in. First, when he was reallyyoung, we threw him in to show
him how to deal with badbehavior, because we might be
traveling. And he was six yearsold and not having it. So he's a
perfect example. And then heevolved into throw him in as a
(26:15):
volunteer. And he started whatwe started seeing is that he
really connected with theathletes. So when an athlete was
breaking down or in trouble, hewas always the first person to
go in and help. And he reallyenjoyed that. So that's when he
came to us said he always wantedto be a buddy. And then actually
Coach Doug thought that he wassuch a strong buddy, that it was
(26:35):
time for him to start coaching.
Scott Light (26:37):
What does it mean to be a buddy, Will?
Will Gibson (26:39):
A buddy is like, their given buddies for to begin
with. But how to be a buddy? Soit's like, you have a board with
an athlete. But it's like theathlete's name, then a buddy
name, then there will be line upbefore today starts. First we
did two laps with a lot betterathlete. After the morning is
(27:05):
done, we did these are fitnessstations. The buddies is helping
the athletes wherever they'restruggling with the world of
football, the buddy can helpthem.
Scott Light (27:16):
If people want to get in touch with Buddy Up For
Life, Beth, what's the best waythey can do that?
Beth Gibson (27:21):
Best way is go to our website and they can go to
Buddy Up For Life.org. Or checkus out on Facebook, Instagram,
all the social media areas, orgive us a call. [We're] happy to
have anyone join us.
Scott Light (27:36):
Okay, and the Buddy Ball website is Grove City Buddy
Ball.com. And Tracie, on thatsite there's even a volunteer
drop down tab with signups rightthere.
Tracie Reddy (27:46):
Yeah. And they actually just posted all of the
schedules for our spring league.
And then they also have aFacebook page as well. I highly
recommend following theirFacebook page, they not only
include all the Buddy Ballinformation, but they also post
a lot of different events forthe entire population of
individuals with disabilities inregards to different things
(28:08):
happening around Columbus.
Scott Light (28:11):
As we start to wrap up our conversation that let's
talk about a couple of thingsthat that Will specifically is
doing next. So Will, you'reabout to graduate high school.
Will Gibson (28:21):
Yes.
Scott Light (28:22):
Congratulations.
Will Gibson (28:23):
Thank you.
Scott Light (28:23):
What's next?
Will Gibson (28:24):
Like I'm going to college. I'm going to Vanderbilt
University, so that's nextsteps.
Scott Light (28:29):
And you're gonna be you're gonna be moving away from
home. You're going to the stateof Tennessee.
Will Gibson (28:32):
Yeah. Love-hate, but I get used to it.
Scott Light (28:35):
Are you going to miss your mom?
Will Gibson (28:38):
So much.
Scott Light (28:40):
Oh my goodness. I think we're all getting a little
teary after that.
Beth Gibson (28:46):
It's gonna be a tough one. It's what we've
worked hard for but we'reexcited.
Scott Light (28:51):
Beth and Will are holding hands now here in our
Boundless studio. That this isjust a great way to to end it
here.
Beth, Tracie to anyone out therelistening. And they may want to
volunteer, not just to BuddyBall or to Buddy Up For Life.
But to volunteer anywhere as amentor, a coach or a buddy to
(29:15):
any great organization. What'syour elevator pitch as to why
they should do it? Take thatstep to be a volunteer?
Beth Gibson (29:22):
I think you need to take that step to show up. You
really need to show up rightnow. And once you're there,
you're hooked. You just need tobe open minded, open heart and
ready to have a blast. And I'msure I can speak for Tracie on
this, promise you it's lifechanging.
Tracie Reddy (29:39):
1000% Yeah, don't worry about stepping up. Don't
think about how you're going tobe viewed the individuals don't
pay attention to how they'reviewed. Everybody is so
accepting and just showing upfor that first time you'll be
back again. There's really noavoiding it. Buddy Ball is by
(30:01):
far my highest personalreinforcer. And everybody I've
introduced to the sport as well.
Scott Light (30:09):
This has been a great conversation. Thank you
all for being here. Will, goodluck at Vandy. Okay, come back
anytime.
Will Gibson (30:16):
Thanks.
Scott Light (30:17):
Thanks to our listeners as well and don't
forget you can be part ofepisodes to come. You can email
us your questions or comments atpodcast at I am Boundless.org.
This is the Well-Being podcastbrought to you by Boundless
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