The Buddy Cruise
Submitted by TeresaA on Sun, 03/15/2009 - 09:57.
Last updated on Mon, 03/16/2009 - 07:42.
Vital Stats
ongoing project
01/01/2008
People Impacted:
400000People Involved: 5
Money Raised: $5,000
Project Video
The Problem
Some families do not have enough resources to help their children with Down syndrome. The community doesnt always accept people with Down syndrome and give them opportunities.
Why It's Important
The Buddy Cruise is an educational conference on a cruise ship that gives families who have children with Down syndrome a chance to come together and share resources. We bring expert speakers and self advocates who talk about Down syndrome and disability related topics. We promote inclusion on the ship with the other passengers.
The Plan Of Action
I told my parents about my idea of the Buddy Cruise one night at dinner. We contacted a cruise line and they were excited about the idea as much as we were. We set a date in October which is National Down syndrome awareness month. We wrote to speakers such as Emily Perl Kingsley her son Jason, Sujeet Desai, and Nikole Whitehead. They were all very interested. We than looked for sponsors to help cover the costs of the event. I thought that there would be families from just Florida but by the time the event rolled around we had over 220 people from across the nation and other countries! The event was a great success and we made a huge impact onboard with the other passengers and crew. Many who cried as we were leaving. They said this was the best group they have had and we were very special to them. We are planning for this years event and already have families booked from all over the country and from as far away as England!! We are also working with an Emmy award winning producer to make a documentary about individuals with Down syndrome showing how they are more like "typical" kids than different. This would be filmed onboard the Buddy Cruise and geared towards children and families. Families could watch this HD broadcast on TV and realize that people with Down syndrome are just like them.
How Can Others Get Involved?
Others can help spreading the word about this event because, we rely on donations and sponsors to provide educational programs and events. Anyone can donate by visiting our website www.buddycruise.com. More importantly people can help by treating people with Down syndrome or any disability with respect and tolerance.
Project Updates
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Comments
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Great work!!!
This is an amazing opportunity to help families and to allow them to network with other families from around the world. It also helps to dispel many of the pre-conceived notions that folks have about persons with Downs Syndrome.
Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing many more Buddy Cruises.
What a fabulous idea! Sounds like you had a great time last year - best of luck!
Leslie
This is an incredible program--I wish we could've gone on the cruise last year. Hopefully this year...Good luck!
Awesome contribution!!!
What a great idea you had. Keep it up!
Ideas are one thing - seeing them come to fruition is another. Great job! I'm looking forward to the cruise for years to come!
Great idea! It's wonderful what you're doing! Keep up the GREAT work! :)
What a great event. A worthy cause and the video is so inspiring...even without audio. I am really touched as the parent of a child with Down syndrome.
This is an amazing idea. I hope that one year I can attend. The video was just beautiful. Thank you for such a beautiful idea!
What a wonderful cause and a great idea! I hope that with each and every year more and more people can attend and help spread awearness. Congratulations and best of luck for this year's buddy cruise!!!!
This is a great idea! As someone with a mentally disabled person in her family, I can attest to the feeling of loneliness and that no one understands. Your cruise provides a sense of community. Good luck!
Awesome job! What a great idea and a wonderful event!
Great work! Getting the information out there is a lot of the battle. Nice work picking a time and place when people are receptive.
This is awesome! What a terrific idea and a very, very worthy cause.
What An AMAZING & INSPIRING Idea! I just mentored a 16 year old girl who had a beautiful lil' boy with Down Syndrome. He is sooo AWESOME! I am going to tell her about this! Thanks soo much for your wonderful job - keep up the great work and hope you continue to come up with inspiring ideas that help others!
This is such a great idea. Wow, I feel inspired to get up a do something. Way to go!
Buddy Cruise is an outstanding idea. What a beautiful way for families to network and share their unique experiences, as well as attending workshops with such brilliant guest speakers. I wish the Buddy Cruise organization continued success.
The Buddy Cruise was great and very educational. The speakers were outstanding. Anyone that has a family member with Downs Syndrome would learn a lot from this experience, and, have a lot of fun.
What a fantastic idea! Good job!
Good Job!
great job this is awesome!
Great job on the idea!!!
This sounds like a great opportunity and a great idea!!
Awesome job organizing the project.
So, I think that Buddy Cruise was a GREAT IDEA from the start! I love it! I went on the first one, and, along with RCI's wonderful activities, it was so fun!!
This is the BEST OPPORTUNITY I've ever heard of for families affected by Down Syndrome to meet! I'm planning on attending the next Buddy Cruise!
The fact that such cruises made a huge impact onboard with the other passengers and crew is a positive step to making everyone aware that these children have a potential.
My friend is a photographer for this cruise and you can tell that it is a joyous and special event. Way to go!!
Thanks for sharing such a touching and novel idea...I only wish I had thought of it! Bravo!
This is an example of one person having a great idea that helps and affects so many people in a positive way. What a wonderful experience for all involved! The world needs more people thinking the way the organizers of this project think!
May it continue to grow!!
It is so good to see people taking action. Keep the goodness in your heart and hopefully it will spread to everyone you come in contact with.
Great idea and I will be sure to pass this information around to as many people as I can to enlighten them also.
This is a great idea! It sounds like the first trip was a huge success. Good luck with this year's trip!!
What an *amazing* idea Teresa! You remind me of another Teresa, Mother Teresa who's ideas changed the World, and you are following in her footsteps. All the Best in your work,
-Jeremiah
I'm so impressed by the heart, compassion, and drive that Teresa has shown! Wonderful!
Great work!! It is people like you that make a difference in this world. Keep it up!
Awesome idea! It looks like everyone had a great time on the cruise. Keep up the good work!!!
Fantastic idea!
This is a wonderful idea, and a compelling testimony! Wishing you all the best (and safe travels!) in your endeavors.
Such a great idea. Best of luck
That cruise is really good and I would love to spend some time on it. People even ready for Last minute Cruise Deals in the above said cruise.