AMY: Of the thousands of friendships that Best Buddies helps to create each year, it is an honour to be here tonight with my friend Dave, receiving the Spirit of Friendship award together. 
In my third year at Wilfrid Laurier - Brantford, our school started its very first Best Buddies chapter. I was anxious to get started. I quickly registered, had my interview, and eagerly awaited the email that declared my buddy match. Then I met Dave, a happy go lucky chatterbox who was the ultimate Brantford tour guide and my new buddy. Instantly, we went through the basics –favourite colours, movies, and food. Then our conversations got deeper and I was let into Dave’s life. He helped me find my feet in a new city and I met his wonderfully compassionate family who opened their home to me, something that to this day I am so humbled by.

DAVE: I met Amy through Best Buddies. We have lots in common. We both enjoy being active, watching movies, going for long walks and talking on the phone. Our chapter went to two Maple Leafs hockey games to raise money which was a lot of fun. We also went on a trip to Medieval Times.
I am also active athlete in the Special Olympics, I have tandem sky dived three times, wake boarded, wrestle, rock climbed and zip-lined. Amy has also introduced me to new sports by taking me sailing on her boat, we had a really fun day.

AMY: In a world that defines individuals by their differences, it can be truly difficult to find someone that is exactly like you. A lot of people might take a look at Dave and me and only choose to see one difference: Dave has a disability and I do not. But over the two years Dave and I have been friends, we have found there are lots of other things we don’t have in common. For example, I am a university graduate, and Dave graduated four years ago from an ungraded, inclusive classroom. Dave’s favourite food is chicken fingers and French fries, while mine is my mom’s seafood pasta. Dave enjoys action movies, while I prefer comedies. Taking the time to learn about and appreciate these differences has allowed Dave and me to build a very special connection over the past two years.
The Best Buddies commitment is to talk to your buddy at least once a week. Dave and I soon surpassed this expectation, extending our conversations and our long distance charges!
Dave has become a huge part of my life, as my family and friends have heard and seen. He has hung out with my roommate, my boyfriend, and last Thanksgiving, our families met one another for the first time and celebrated together at my home in Mississauga. We had a wonderful evening, and Dave learned that if you let her, my dog will take us on a five kilometer walk without us knowing ! With moments like these, I truly believe that I have gained more from Best Buddies than Dave.
I am so privileged to be part of Best Buddies and to have met Dave, someone who continues to ch me so much about. Dave has impacted my life so much that one of my life aspirations is to become a special education teacher. I owe this to Best Buddies.

DAVE: When I finished high school, my parents were worried about my future. You sometimes hear stories about how some people with disabilities are treated…like being left alone in the back of a classroom or end up in a group home, sitting around watching kiddie programs like “Barney”on TV.
In my Best Buddies chapter, no one cared who or how they you were. We all had a common bond of friendship and respect. Best Buddies and knowing Amy showed me that I can have a real future. One of my goals is to help younger students who don’t have opportunities to learn real skills
Of course, Best Buddies is also very important to me because I met Amy. Best Buddies lets me have fun experiences that I’ve never had before with new friends from our chapter. Last year, Amy and I participated at the Best Buddies Leadership conference in Toronto. It was great. We met so many people and did fun things like Zumba and had a class on drumming. Spending the weekend at the conference provided an opportunity to spend time with Amy and I think that doing all those fun things together helped to make our friendship even stronger.

AMY: Best Buddies gives people with intellectual disabilities the chance to have experiences that most people take for granted. It doesn’t have to be something big, because with friends it’s the little things that matter. For me, even a five minute conversation with Dave on the phone can brighten my mood.
Best Buddies promotes student contribution within their school’s community while dramatically helping us understand the diversity of people and talents within any community. If you open your hearts and minds like I did with Dave, you can form a friendship that is strong and life changing. I’ve learned about what makes Dave and me different, but more importantly, what we share. Dave has taught me this and will always be a very important person in my life. I am honoured that we have been chosen for this award from Best Buddies.

DAVE: I encourage you to find something new about someone every day– it could change your life. Best Buddies gave me a chance to do this with Amy and make a true friend. Best Buddies helps you realize that we are all different, but we all have something special to offer. You just need to see it. Thank you.