Boundless Abilities: Autism and More

Well-Being Ep. 43: The Impact of Inclusive Sports

• Boundless • Season 4 • Episode 43

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Step into the world of inclusive sports with us! In this episode, we sit down with Will Gibson, an extraordinary athlete and coach with Down syndrome, alongside Beth Gibson, the visionary executive director and founder of Buddy Up for Life and Tracie Reddy, the dedicated residential operations manager for Boundless and Buddy Ball volunteer. With our host, Scott Light, we dive into Will's sports journey, exploring its profound significance and the importance of community engagement. Prepare for heartwarming stories and insights into the power of community and a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of inclusive sports. 

Scott Light:

Okay, let's go around the horn really quickly to our guests to start this episode. What is your favorite sport to play? Will, would you start us off?

Will Gibson:

Yes, I would love to. So my favorite sport to play is tennis and football.

Scott Light:

He just named two. Okay, we'll take it. Beth, to you.

Beth Gibson:

Pickleball and tennis.

Scott Light:

All right.

Tracie Reddy:

I'm gonna go with soccer and football.

Scott Light:

Okay, we're out of the gate here. Those are quick answers and that tees up our conversation today. I promise I'm going to properly introduce you to the voices that you heard in just a second. First, welcome to Well-Being, a podcast brought to you by Boundless, a nonprofit that provides residential support, autism services, primary health care, day programs, counseling and a whole lot more to children and adults. Our mission is to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people. I'm your host, Scott Light. So our guests today are athletes and their executives, and students and volunteers. They are all kinds of things. Let me introduce you to them. We have two guests from Buddy Up For Life, founder and Executive Director Beth Gibson, and her son Will who was Buddy Up's very first athlete. Welcome to you both.

Beth Gibson:

Thank you.

Will Gibson:

Thanks.

Scott Light:

Tracie Reddy is here as well from Boundless. She is the Residential Operations Manager, and Tracie, you're a volunteer at Grove City Buddy Ball, where several of our Boundless athletes play ball so we can't wait to hear more about that as well. Welcome to you.

Tracie Reddy:

Thank you.

Scott Light:

Okay, full disclosure here. My family is absolutely honored to know Beth and Will and the Buddy Up family quite well, from your tennis and pickleball events to that super fun annual gala. Your mission is truly inspiring, Beth, to our family. So I'm just thrilled that you and Will are here today.

Beth Gibson:

Thank you.

Will Gibson:

Thanks for having us.

Scott Light:

Let's go back in history, if we could. The origin story of Buddy Up is really powerful. Beth, you'd play tennis with your older son, but Will, who has Down syndrome, he didn't have options for sports and for fitness. And at that time, Will was a toddler. And you thought, "Okay, this has to change." And you changed it with the very first to tennis clinic that was in 2008. Take us back to that time.

Beth Gibson:

Sure. Back in 2008, in the world of adaptive sports, at least in the tennis industry, you were in a wheelchair or you couldn't afford to play tennis. So there wasn't a lot of adaptive programs out there, especially programs designed for individuals with Down syndrome. So we really took the bull by the horns and created our own program to provide opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

Scott Light:

So I did a little history here: King Henry the second played tennis back in the 1500s. So, seriously, and you know, we have the Greeks to thank for the Olympics. You know, even centuries before that, we've had sports competitions for centuries and centuries and Down syndrome was first described by an English physician named John Langdon Down in 1862. So now to the serious part of this, why hasn't Beth, in your opinion, why hasn't fitness, exercise and sports been part of the Down syndrome community?

Beth Gibson:

What I really think has happened is there's been an evolution over the years. So if you dial back 162 years ago when Down syndrome was officially diagnosed, those individuals were alienated. So they were almost hidden at their homes or they were put in an institution. Even 50 years ago a lot of our folks were probably in institutions. And if you think about it, when I was in grade school, I didn't even know anyone with Down syndrome. I would walk down the hall and there might be some kids in the classroom. So I think 40 years ago, the objective was to educate this population and to really try to help them. I don't know that people really found the potential that they could really have. So I think, you know, when you dial back 20-40 years ago, you really had to tap into and be on board with the idea that there is endless potential for these kids. And the first goal was probably education. Now, we're like, hey, especially in the world of Down syndrome, our because of the advancements, the medical advancements, our population is living longer. That's because things are being diagnosed like heart challenges, but there's been a lot of open heart surgeries. A lot of our kids are born with some medical issues. So they're addressed. So, but one big obstacle is a lot of our kids, they do have potential for diabetes or heart disease, and they really need a call to action for fitness. So I think that's been something that's been evolving over the last 10-15 years is really providing them with opportunities to have fitness. And now I think what's happening and is so incredible is that they not only have opportunities in their own world, such as you know, the both of our organizations are offering to our, our students and athletes but then also some of our our athletes like Will, he's playing with the New Albany High school football team. He's on the New Albany High School tennis team. So where we've gone in the last 162 years is quite incredible.

Scott Light:

Well, let's talk about Will's athletic prowess, if we can. Will, you're like your mom; you are a trailblazer. You are athlete number one. So what is Buddy Up meant to you?

Will Gibson:

Buddy Up is my family, and even, I love the team. Even [when] we go on vacations. So as they have game team, so it's like, three or four coaches plus two of my parents. And whatever I love them so much. I cannot live without them. Yeah.

Scott Light:

And you get a little emotional talking about it, don't you?

Will Gibson:

Yes.

Scott Light:

Would you tell us about your football team and your tennis team at New Albany High?

Will Gibson:

So for my football team, so like, last year, we were in championships, but honestly, I love the team that's my second family. And even for tennis, [I] love the community,[I] love the service, and even now, you can make friends.

Scott Light:

Now, Will are you playing [pickleball]? Have you made the switch from tennis to pickleball, not that you have to make a switch, but are you are you playing both or still tennis predominantly?

Will Gibson:

Honestly, I like tennis more than pickleball because pickleball does not end a point; in tennis, we end a point.

Scott Light:

Okay, okay. And I'm gonna tell you folks, you don't you don't want to mess with Will on the tennis court. I'm just gonna tell you that right now because I've seen him play. Tracie, I want to come to you, and we're going to talk about Grove City Buddy Ball. And by the way, you've got on your Grove City Buddy Ball t-shirt, you've got on your Cincinnati Bengals cap. We're going to talk about your dedication to both in a little bit. But I have some, I have a late-breaking headline here. I got a text from an executive here at Boundless the morning of this recording. That said this: make sure that you mention that Tracie Reddy is the Employee Champion of the Year here at Boundless, which is basically the Employee of the Year. Hello, and congratulations.

Tracie Reddy:

Thank you.

Scott Light:

That's awesome.

Tracie Reddy:

Yeah, I was uh, I was shocked to win. But I'm, I dedicate a lot of what I do to this field. I've been involved. I was with Boundless before it was Boundless, when it was Step by Step Academy. I started as a behavior technician, working in our center-based program, and I've worked my way up to where I am today.

Scott Light:

Tell us a little bit about what you do as the Residential Operations Manager.

Tracie Reddy:

So I oversee our intensive behavioral residential sites. I oversee our MSY program that is in central, kind of out east. I also oversee our Palmer Donovan location, which is the most intensive residential environment that is actually in the entire state of Ohio.

Scott Light:

Okay.

Tracie Reddy:

And then I also oversee an emergency respite for behavioral individuals as well.

Scott Light:

Let's talk about Grove City Buddy Ball, and for our listeners, you know what hop online right now if you can and check out their logo. Whoever designed this logo is brilliant, and it's on your t-shirt right there, Tracie. It is a baseball in the shape of a heart. It is such a cool, cool logo. And Tracie, I know that you've been volunteering at Buddy Ball for years now; you also have a familial connection, your stepson plays Buddy Ball. So tell us about your whole connection here.

Tracie Reddy:

I started volunteering in Buddy Ball, because I happened to be on shift with an individual that had a game that night, and I have not missed a game since. I attend, so they have two seasons. They have a spring season that has Tuesday nights for adults and Saturday is an all age league. And then in the fall, there's also another adult league that plays, and yeah, I don't miss a season at all. The excitement to watch the individuals play, the relationships that we build. The first game of every season is like a reunion, to see everybody get to see each other again. The organization has grown, we used to only have four adult teams. And this year, we're actually up to six. So because the organization has grown so much.

Scott Light:

If you wouldn't mind, tell us a little bit about your stepson. He has he has autism nonverbal.

Tracie Reddy:

Mmhm.

Scott Light:

And what has that league play? What is that sociability, that the sports, the fitness, everything that sports does for all of us? What's that been like for him?

Tracie Reddy:

Gage is the name of my stepson. He didn't really go out of the home much and do a ton activity-wise just because of lack of knowing what was out there. I haven't been involved in Gage's life for except for like three, almost four years. So during that time, I was like, you've got to get him involved. We, he's gotta go, I'm going anyway. I also have a 13-year-old daughter, who is his peer and his buddy every time they play. Just seeing his excitement seeing individuals that he goes to school with, or that [he] has seen around the community. Obviously, some of our Boundless individuals also participate. So me introducing him to individuals that I work with has also been really cool because they just get excited it, for each other and everything. Watching him develop his physical movement and work on his gross and fine motor skills that are involved and just overall enjoying it has been phenomenal. We get up on Saturday mornings, staying up is his highest reinforcer. He will stay up all night on Friday and Saturday if we let him. But if we tell him like on Friday night, like "Hey, man, don't forget we have Buddy Ball. Do you want to stay up all night? Or do you want us to put you to bed?" He will always choose to go to bed so that he is well rested, so that he can participate in the game.

Scott Light:

Beth, I'm sure you have a bazillion similar stories and that you've seen all these athletes, Will included, but hundreds and hundreds of athletes grow like this, not just physically but emotionally and mentally.

Beth Gibson:

Yes. So it's really fun to see the growth of our athletes, as Tracie was saying, and everyone has their own trajectory.

Scott Light:

Sure.

Beth Gibson:

Right? And, you know, we have some success, where one student from our communication class was nonverbal. And now he comes to tennis and greets me as "Good morning, Miss Beth."

Scott Light:

Wow.

Beth Gibson:

And that's huge. That doesn't sound like a lot. But when someone's 18-years-old, and they've been nonverbal, and now they're starting to communicate, it's life changing, not only to the parents, but to the child. So we see a lot of success with that. We see a lot of success just with our athletes, as Tracie commented, just, there's so much whether you're on the baseball field or the tennis court or pickleball court, how much they're growing as an athlete and as an individual and taking that social and emotional development and confidence to taking them outside to school and having them be a more confident and participatory student at school. It's been exciting.

Scott Light:

Really what we're talking about here, we're talking about inclusion for everyone. And let me mention Buddy Ball's mission statement here, "Grove City Buddy Ball will provide opportunities for all persons to play baseball, regardless of ability, and promote community support through volunteerism and sponsorship of these activities." And I know there there are so many great nonprofits, Buddy Up for Life inlcuded, that have you know, similar mission statements, right, but really, and I'd love for the group to come in here. Anybody can take it. That's what we're talking about. Come one, come all, come to the field. Let's go.

Tracie Reddy:

I will say that the Grove City community in particular has really embraced the Buddy Ball organization. The first responders in Grove City always volunteer one game a season, and they are the buddies for all the athletes, and that that's the greatest day ever for the athletes because not only do they get to hang out with firefighters and policemen, but they get to see fire trucks and police trucks. But also, it just brings the community together. You build these relationships; it's about the inclusion and the exposure of how these individuals deserve to participate in these activities and are doing so on such a great level. Some of our individuals that participate in Buddy Ball are also trainers and things for their high school teams. So their high school teams will come and support them and volunteer so it really brings a sense of knowledge about the community as a whole and introducing and exposing individuals to working with individuals with disabilities that may not have those opportunities in other manners. Buddy Ball actually does a great job at communicating with our local high schools to get National Honor Society and things like that involved for their volunteer hours. So it's it's just a great experience overall. The community comes together, all the teams are sponsored, typically by local businesses in Grove City, the little mom-and-pop places that it's just they take part in the parade, we have a 5k, the Firecracker 5k, that happens in Grove City. All of that is Buddy Ball involved as well.

Beth Gibson:

I just think we're so blessed to be in Columbus, in general, there's just a lot of support looking in Columbus. Specifically, you know, our programs, our our life skill programs are in New Albany. And we've had a lot of great support with New Albany, both with Special Olympics and Buddy Up for Life. And I just said, it's amazing to have those first responders be a part of basketball games, football games, you know, we have Officer Kelly who comes and helps us with our communities class talking about safety. And our the Market Street businesses where a lot of our communication classes, our students are actually out at the library. They're out at Starbucks. And they're welcomed, you know, to go to Elliot Cooper and Learning Express, and they take time out of their day to engage with our students. They'll close the store or keep it open. So the community can see and it's really been a complete change from what you said back in 1862.

Scott Light:

Right.

Beth Gibson:

Right?

Scott Light:

Right.

Beth Gibson:

And it's just amazing. You know, we have a great relationship with Healthy New Albany and just having different programs and our cooking class there. So as you said, the more we're out there, the more other community members then partake and volunteer in our program and want to be a part of it. So which is a huge impact, because all of our programs not only impact our athletes and students, but I think we leave a really big footprint on the volunteers, as well.

Scott Light:

Yeah. Inclusion leads to communities, that you're talking about, communities lead to awareness and education and just all these concentric circles, right, that just keep growing and building with each other. Let's talk about growth and impact in this way, Beth? Buddy Up started here. You went to Cincinnati with that very first chapter outside Central Ohio, and now you have 25 plus chapters. Nationally, you have all kinds of fitness classes, you have events, you have those life skills, courses, coaches, volunteers, you have that annual gala that absolutely rocks and packs the house at Kemba Live downtown. How many people and families does Buddy Up touch now?

Beth Gibson:

You know, we're well over 2000 or so when you think about just our athletes. That's upwards, individual athletes is over 750 or so. So then when you start thinking about their family, which is huge, and then the volunteers is well over 1000. So it's been a lot of fun to see from Will and Coach Doug to where we are today.

Scott Light:

Right?

Tracie Reddy:

The growth is exponential, and there's really no other way to kind of put it. My daughter brings her friend that she happens to be hanging out with, and they come to watch one game and they're like, "I'm coming every week." It's a lot of fun. The Buddy Ball adult league definitely is kind of my highest reinforcer. Those individuals have been playing the majority of their lives in the organization since it's been inception. And they are who they are. They've gotten such a great banter in relationship with the board members of Buddy Ball and the coaches and the players that return year from year. So, to see their personalities and see them be comfortable and be active in their communities is just, I mean, nothing fills the heart better. It's just simply amazing. The growth with our individuals is also incredible. Jackson, who I know that you've spoken about in previous podcasts, he is one of the residents that is under my care. When he first started playing Buddy Ball, you know, we went from an individual that we couldn't get out of his van to come onto the field, to an individual that stayed in the outfield and played outfield for both teams because he didn't want to go to bat. And now he bats. Sometimes he runs the bases, sometimes he strides but he now takes full part in Buddy Ball without any problem. We tell them it's Buddy Ball day; he goes, grabs his shirt and he's ready to go.

Scott Light:

That's awesome.

Tracie Reddy:

Yeah, it's just see the growth in the athletes like that and things like that, from somebody was like, "I'm just gonna sit in my car and watch," to somebody that goes independently and grabs their bat and goes up and bats the ball independently. It's just simply amazing. The other really amazing part about Buddy Ball is the field. Like, it's made of special materials so that wheelchairs can access it. Anybody in any ability level can use it. And they actually have a batting machine for individuals that don't necessarily have the motor skills to hold a bat. You pull a string, and the bat hits the ball off the tee and then the volunteers are still able to move the individuals in wheelchairs around the field. But yeah, it's just, there's just nothing like it.

Scott Light:

It's this- it's a rubberized field right? And like you said, it's built to accommodate wheelchairs, other assistive devices. I mean, it is built to accommodate.

Tracie Reddy:

Yeah, yeah. It's all inclusive. All of the teams are named after normal baseball teams. So you get some of that banter included as well. You know, like the Reds, Braves long standing rivalry, or Cleveland. You know, so you have some of that building to it as well. It's just, yeah, it's heart filling.

Scott Light:

Tracie, both you and Beth have mentioned volunteers. All nonprofits rely on all kinds of volunteers to make the mission go. Beth, you have a lot of volunteers as well, with such big hearts. What do they tell you? Why do they keep coming back to Buddy Up For Life, not just to support the events, but just to be there day in day out to help you?

Tracie Reddy:

A couple of reasons, I think, you know, our volunteers are really vested in the mission, they really want to see our athletes and, and students grow and evolve. They have really big hearts. And I think they really love the relationship that they make with their athletes or students. I think it really becomes life changing. And you mentioned a lot of we get, we get high schoolers that come in. And they may come in for, you know, different reasons. They may have, you know, hours to fill, but then they stay. And I think they stay because of the environment that we've created. That, you know, they're inspired. And what's fun to see is sometimes their professions go into helping individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It's life changing for them. And I, as well alludes to a lot and talked a lot about and why he gets so emotional, it really becomes family. And I just think it becomes a part of, of what they love. And once they get it, they're hooked. Oh yeah.

Beth Gibson:

They're hooked. And they and they stay. So it's, we're so blessed.

Scott Light:

Can we also mention your coaches? I mean, again, at your events, your tennis events, zumba classes, your pickleball events, your coaches are so energetic, so knowledgeable, first of all, but seriously, they are just running around and so encouraging and so positive. They're awesome mentors.

Beth Gibson:

They are and it started, I mean, a lot of our leaders, you know, we bring a lot of energy to the table and that's, that's the environment we want to create. And we want someone out there having a lot of energy and having a lot of fun. And it's magnetic, you know, I just say,

Scott Light:

It is, it is.

Beth Gibson:

You know, and we see people, we have a coach that was a little quiet and like, oh, I don't know. And then once once they're in, they're hooked. Like I'm like, oh my goodness, they just, they're the Energizer Bunny. So, it some people take on a whole new light.

Scott Light:

Yeah, you've seen the same thing I'm sure on the baseball field.

Tracie Reddy:

Oh, yeah, without question or hesitation. You just, they come in and they're like, I'm not so sure about this. But then usually by the end of the first inning, it's their their hooked. And there's no turning back.

Scott Light:

Yeah. Will have there been some coaches, do you want to talk about a couple of coaches at Buddy Up?

Beth Gibson:

Your a coach.

Will Gibson:

Yes.

Beth Gibson:

Will's a coach.

Scott Light:

Yeah.

Beth Gibson:

Do you have any favorite coaches that inspired you?

Will Gibson:

I cannot name some, but it's like a hard decision right now. But one of my favorite coaches, it's like the founder that started Buddy Up that is Doug. He's, he's my favorite. He's part of my family.

Scott Light:

And Will what do you coach now? What sports?

Will Gibson:

I coach tennis.

Beth Gibson:

Where are you coaching tennis? Will, you have lots of different places where your coach.

Will Gibson:

Oh, yeah. I my job is working out Good tweet. So it is teach kids how to play tennis, and even I volunteer in different places like it for only 10 G. And for my senior seminar, I teach tennis to a primary building. So I teach first through third graders, immediately, same format as per year, from our philosophy is like, like we do this thing, like when you give him a high five low, however medium, they stand up, then give it up, like really high, they stand up, get high five, then they get motivated, then they can play again.

Scott Light:

That's great. That's great. How long is Will been coaching Beth?

Beth Gibson:

For over two years. So I think around when he was 14, he made the switch from athlete to buddy. And then in the last two years, he's been coaching,

Scott Light:

And did he come to you and say, hey, I want to coach?

Beth Gibson:

He came to us when he wanted to volunteer. And as he spoke about, when we do a lot of our openings, we throw them in. First, when he was really young, we threw him in to show him how to deal with bad behavior, because we might be traveling. And he was six years old and not having it. So he's a perfect example. And then he evolved into throw him in as a volunteer. And he started what we started seeing is that he really connected with the athletes. So when an athlete was breaking down or in trouble, he was always the first person to go in and help. And he really enjoyed that. So that's when he came to us said he always wanted to be a buddy. And then actually Coach Doug thought that he was such a strong buddy, that it was time for him to start coaching.

Scott Light:

What does it mean to be a buddy, Will?

Will Gibson:

A buddy is like, their given buddies for to begin with. But how to be a buddy? So it's like, you have a board with an athlete. But it's like the athlete's name, then a buddy name, then there will be line up before today starts. First we did two laps with a lot better athlete. After the morning is done, we did these are fitness stations. The buddies is helping the athletes wherever they're struggling with the world of football, the buddy can help them.

Scott Light:

If people want to get in touch with Buddy Up For Life, Beth, what's the best way they can do that?

Beth Gibson:

Best way is go to our website and they can go to Buddy Up For Life.org. Or check us out on Facebook, Instagram, all the social media areas, or give us a call. [We're] happy to have anyone join us.

Scott Light:

Okay, and the Buddy Ball website is Grove City Buddy Ball.com. And Tracie, on that site there's even a volunteer drop down tab with signups right there.

Tracie Reddy:

Yeah. And they actually just posted all of the schedules for our spring league. And then they also have a Facebook page as well. I highly recommend following their Facebook page, they not only include all the Buddy Ball information, but they also post a lot of different events for the entire population of individuals with disabilities in regards to different things happening around Columbus.

Scott Light:

As we start to wrap up our conversation that let's talk about a couple of things that that Will specifically is doing next. So Will, you're about to graduate high school.

Will Gibson:

Yes.

Scott Light:

Congratulations.

Will Gibson:

Thank you.

Scott Light:

What's next?

Will Gibson:

Like I'm going to college. I'm going to Vanderbilt University, so that's next steps.

Scott Light:

And you're gonna be you're gonna be moving away from home. You're going to the state of Tennessee.

Will Gibson:

Yeah. Love-hate, but I get used to it.

Scott Light:

Are you going to miss your mom?

Will Gibson:

So much.

Scott Light:

Oh my goodness. I think we're all getting a little teary after that.

Beth Gibson:

It's gonna be a tough one. It's what we've worked hard for but we're excited.

Scott Light:

Beth and Will are holding hands now here in our Boundless studio. That this is just a great way to to end it here. Beth, Tracie to anyone out there listening. And they may want to volunteer, not just to Buddy Ball or to Buddy Up For Life. But to volunteer anywhere as a mentor, a coach or a buddy to any great organization. What's your elevator pitch as to why they should do it? Take that step to be a volunteer?

Beth Gibson:

I think you need to take that step to show up. You really need to show up right now. And once you're there, you're hooked. You just need to be open minded, open heart and ready to have a blast. And I'm sure I can speak for Tracie on this, promise you it's life changing.

Tracie Reddy:

1000% Yeah, don't worry about stepping up. Don't think about how you're going to be viewed the individuals don't pay attention to how they're viewed. Everybody is so accepting and just showing up for that first time you'll be back again. There's really no avoiding it. Buddy Ball is by far my highest personal reinforcer. And everybody I've introduced to the sport as well.

Scott Light:

This has been a great conversation. Thank you all for being here. Will, good luck at Vandy. Okay, come back anytime.

Will Gibson:

Thanks.

Scott Light:

Thanks to our listeners as well and don't forget you can be part of episodes to come. You can email us your questions or comments at podcast at I am Boundless.org. This is the Well-Being podcast brought to you by Boundless