April 1 Spring Carnival Sponsored by BUDS Seeks Volunteers
A special spring carnival is taking place on April 1 in Hiebert Lounge for all area individuals with developmental disabilities. Co-sponsored by the Boston University Down Syndrome (BUDS) program and the Boston University Developmental Disability (BUDDs) awareness group, with the support from the BUSM Alumni Association, the carnival will feature games, crafts, prizes, snacks, and promises to be lots of fun. While the event is open to all individuals with developmental disabilities, a special invitation is extended to the families that participate in the Operation House Call Program through the Department of Pediatrics.
Volunteers are still needed for the carnival. For more information about the event or to learn more about past activities go to http://blogs.bu.edu/budds/.
The BUDS program is a student-coordinated service learning elective that pairs first and second year medical students with teens or young adults with Down syndrome. The program provides medical students first-hand experiences in learning about Down syndrome directly from individuals with Down syndrome and their family members. The pairs meet each month to participate in social activities, including visiting museums, attending sporting events, exercising, sharing a meal, and spending time together with family or friends.
Through participation in the BUDS program, students improve their understanding of the diagnosis of Down syndrome and the medical, emotional, and social implications for individuals and families. Students also strengthen communication skills with individuals with developmental disabilities. The program aims to enrich the lives of individuals with Down syndrome by giving them the opportunity to participate in their community with a non-family member.
“I have had the privilege of growing up with a brother with Down syndrome. Brian has taught me more about life and living than anyone else. Because of this, I started the BUDS Program. I wanted other medical students to be able to have a meaningful interaction with individuals with Down syndrome. I wanted my colleagues to see more than what we read in textbooks. I wanted them to see the joy most individuals with Down syndrome bring to their friends and family, along with their optimism and resilience. It is my hope that the BUDS program will create better awareness and understanding Down syndrome and developmental disabilities among my fellow students,” explained BUSM second-year student, Erin Krizman, founder of BUDS.
The BUDS program began in 2011 and has received the generous support of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. Seeing a need to further advance awareness and knowledge about developmental disabilities, the leaders of the BUDS program co-founded another student organization in 2011, the BUDDs awareness group. As all physicians, regardless of specialty, will likely encounter individuals with developmental disabilities, the BUDDs awareness group aims to provide opportunities for medical students to improve their knowledge and communication skills by interacting with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.