Sports are universally loved and many dream to participate on a team, but not all children have the opportunity to play sports and be a part of this community because of Down syndrome, which makes it harder for these kids to be a part of things. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects someone’s intellectual development, facial features, growth, and more, all caused by an extra chromosome 21 in most cases.
Tennis Buddy Up takes place at Northwestern University most Saturdays from 4-5:30 pm with each session focusing on a different life skill that can help the athletes in real life.
“Because it’s Saturday night, it’s kind of a little bit hard to get there, but literally once you step in and walk that building and see those kids, they’re so excited to see you. And it’s not all kids, either. Like some of them, we have people in their 20s as well. But they’re so excited to see their buddy, and they’re so eager to play and it’s a really positive atmosphere” remarked Jen Pollard, one of the main organizers for Northwestern Buddy Up.
The buddies that help the athletes are leading their athletes through different drills and teaching them the fundamentals of tennis while also bonding with their buddy and working together. There are coaches there, but the buddies are really the ones guiding their own partner through the whole thing.
“We try to teach them a little bit of problem solving like when you’re faced with a hard time doing something, this is what you do, and then we kind of do it through tennis”, voiced Pollard.
Not only is this a great opportunity for the Athletes, but also the buddies who are helping them do something challenging and watching them succeed. The buddies learn important life skills and it also allows them to be a part of an amazing community.
“I feel like one of the skills I’ve learned is, I don’t know, sometimes you just have to be patient and I feel like it’s a big thing needed” said Junior Gemma Pollard.
Also like any volunteer work, it brings these buddies joy to help these kids and make sure that they feel seen and a part of something, which sometimes all that anyone needs.
For the buddies, “it’s really beneficial because I think with anything in life, when you go out and you give something of yourself, you get a million things back. To see your positive impact on a kid and see the positive changes you can make, whether it’s making them happy or boosting them up a little bit, it’s really good. I think it’s also great leadership” commented Pollard
To end the session off, all the buddies and coaches go around and say things everyone did great the day and to end the day off on a high.
Jen Pollard says “We do shout outs at the end to make everybody feel good. It’s great. Truly, there have been days where I walked in, I’ve been like, my gosh, I’ve had such a long day and then within five minutes, I’m so happy I’m there”.
Overall, Buddy Up allows a space for athletes who don’t always feel like they belong, to be themselves, let loose and have a good time, while also learning new things about themselves and also how to function in this world.
