E-Buddies Program
I don’t know if I’ve ever posted about this before, but I’m a volunteer with the E-Buddies Program. This program pairs volunteers with intellectually disabled participants to form e-mail friendships. I’ve been doing this for 6 years now, and have had two e-buddies in that time.
My current buddy is Kristy, a woman I’ve been corresponding with for almost 4 years now. We’re about the same age, and have similar tastes in movies and books. We usually write about our families, work, school, or whatever else happens to be going on.
For instance, Kristy’s last email to me was a triumphant one, as she recently learned that her monthly social security disability payments would be increasing. In her own words, that means “we will be able to eat better for the first time in years.”
I don’t know how Kristy and her husband managed to get an increase in their payments, but I think they used some kind of company that specializes in ensuring that people get the SSDI amount that they’re entitled to. Whatever they did, I’m glad it worked out for them.
Actually, I wish I could help Kristy directly by sending her money or gift cards once in a while, but from what I understand, that sort of thing is strictly prohibited by the program. That’s too bad, because I really am in a position to help!