Meet Best Buddies – M AC Y M CG R AT H A N D J O S H H A N N A You’re about to read one of the most inspiring “perspective” stories to date.
inspiring perspective
By Erin Boaz
Meet Best Buddies, Macy McGrath and Josh Hanna. Macy is 21 years old and is a senior at Ball State University. She will graduate with a degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus on autism and plans to get her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Purdue University. Macy currently works in the Adaptive Program at the Monon Center in Carmel. After graduation, Macy hopes to change the world in the name of inclusion and friendship. Her dream is to share her story of friendship with others all over the country through writing and speaking opportunities. Macy hopes to own a day-center for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Her vision is to create a space where they provide community service, social interactions, and creating friendships. Her goal is to have a place where others in the community can get to know the students and understand the genuine love they bring to the world. Josh was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. He is now 22 years old, graduated from Fishers High School, and now attends Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) High School and is in his final year of the vocational program. In addition, he holds down two jobs: Four Day Ray and Marshall’s. Josh’s favorite TV shows are Arthur and Veggie Tales, his favorite video game is Mario, and he loves to make people laugh. Josh and Macy met at Riverside Junior High in 2012 when Macy was a peer tutor in Josh’s Special Education class. Soon after meeting, they became inseparable. They joined Special Olympics swimming and hung out twice a week for practice. Once they were in high school, they joined a program called Best Buddies. Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization “dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).” Josh and Macy immediately connected and their relationship has blossomed into a genuine friendship. Macy calls Josh her best friend, and he calls her his best friend. In regards to the impact Josh has had on Macy’s life, she shared with me that meeting Josh has completely changed her life. She said, “It has shown me that there are so many more important things out in the world than just me.” It has shown Macy that being a friend to someone with special needs can impact their life in a bigger way than you could ever imagine. Josh has shown her what true friendship is. I love Macy’s perspective when I asked for her insight and wisdom on their friendship. Macy said, “just because they have special needs doesn’t make them not human. They want the same things that everyone else wants – a friend, someone to laugh
16 Special Needs Living • May 2021
with, someone who loves them, someone to text and hang out with.” She goes on to say, Josh is her biggest inspiration, motivation, and supporter. He has the biggest heart of anyone she has ever met. He constantly is trying to make others laugh and feel loved, he is always laughing and telling jokes, and he is very loyal. She went on to share that they are truly are best friends and not just doing it for a requirement for a club, class, or resume. Josh supports Macy in everything she does and no matter what he tells her “good job, Macers, so proud.” Without Josh, Macy isn’t sure what she would be doing. But one thing is for sure, she can’t imagine life without him. As I write this article, I want to take a moment and share how their story impacted me on a personal level. While spending time talking to Macy, not only did my heart swell with joy, along with some tears of love and gratitude, I was deeply humbled and inspired. Their friendship emanates inclusion, acceptance, and
