Buddy and Joe Story

Buddy and Joe

Buddy has an incredible spirit, rooted in faith, a positive outlook, and a great sense of humor, which is shared daily with family and friends. Buddy may face challenges that others don't, but he approaches life with a sense of humor, kindness, and unwavering passion for the things he loves. He is a truly wonderful young man, and we are so grateful to have him in our lives. Buddy may be 21 years old, but his spirit and enthusiasm for life are ageless. He is a shining example of how to embrace the things that bring you joy and never let anything hold you back. Buddy is an inspiration to us all.

One of Buddy's absolute favorite things in the world is going to church. Buddy takes great pleasure in singing hymns, listening to the pastor's sermons, and spending time with his church family. It is a place where he feels at peace and connected to something bigger than himself.

But perhaps Buddy's greatest love of all is his beloved Philadelphia sports teams. Whether it's the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, or 76ers, he is their number one fan. He watches every game, performs the play-by-play alongside the Phillies broadcasters, and enthusiastically cheers them on. His passion for his teams is infectious, and he has even convinced the rest of the family to join in on game nights.

Joe experiences an incredible sense of pride in helping others. His struggles with self-expression seem to vanish when he is in a supportive environment. From helping classmates at school to finding his mom's car keys or his dog Coco Chanel's collar, Joe is constantly working to solve a problem. 

But Joe’s greatest love is being around animals, horses in particular. Joe's presence at a local farm forges a unique bond of compassion and understanding with the horses. 

About Be Good Buddy Charms

We began with Be Good Buddy charms to express Buddy’s ongoing desire to wish goodwill to people in his community. He, like many others with disabilities, understands and relies on the importance of a community. He has always been aware of the mail truck, his bus drivers, the local police, the fire department, and EMS personnel. He calls them his community helpers. The following charms and magnets are simple, yet meaningful messages.

The inspirational messages are a collection of thoughts and gestures Buddy has used over the years to express his feelings towards others. Each charm and magnet is stamped on the back with a BGB stick figure representing Buddy.

About Say It Ain't So, Joe Bracelet

The phrase "say it ain't so, Joe" came to me as a funny way to summarize Joe's tendencies. You never know what he's going to say! His impulsive behaviors and communication style have always been a challenge in our household. I see these bracelets (and their simple sayings) as a way to 'stop, take a deep breath, and reset myself' during my current interaction with Joe. You can manage your day and challenges using your Say It Ain't So, Joe bracelet, which features a fidget bead in the middle and a relatable saying. We all struggle with our daily challenges; use these fidget bead bracelets to take a deep breath to calm yourself and try again. You got this! 

Each bracelet is stamped on the back with a horse, representing Joe’s deep love for these animals.

Our Family’s vision

My wife, Pamela, and I are the proud parents of four children: Lucy, Buddy, Joe, and Piper. We have the unique privilege of raising two sons, Buddy and Joe, who are neurodiverse. Our daughters, Lucy and Piper, have embraced the challenge of supporting them on this journey, and together, we are a family. Our goal is to highlight the incredible contributions that all neurodiverse people make in this world. If you've ever been to a Special Olympics or a similar event, you've seen firsthand the pure joy, determination, and enthusiasm that is truly authentic and inspiring.

Partial proceeds will be donated to the National Fragile X Foundation.
To Learn more about Fragile X Syndrome, and how it relates to Autism, please visit National
Fragile X Foundation at  www.fragilex.org

We simply want to share this inspiration—one charm and bracelet at a time.