About Us
At My Special Buddies, our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs by cultivating meaningful friendships, creating a sense of belonging, and empowering parents to help their children thrive socially. Additionally, we strive to engage the community through impactful volunteer opportunities that make a positive, lasting difference.
By bringing these efforts together, we can build a more inclusive and supportive community where individuals with special needs have the opportunity to connect, grow, and thrive.
Growing up, I lived next door to one of my best friends, Payten, who was born with Down syndrome. Over time, I noticed that her social life didn’t extend very far beyond school, leaving her with limited opportunities to make friends. When Payten was in middle school, her mom asked me to help organize playdates for her, and I quickly realized how difficult it was—messages went unanswered, and plans frequently fell through. Each disappointment weighed on me, and I couldn’t help but wonder: How many special needs individuals feel this same loneliness?
As I spoke with parents of special needs individuals, my fears were confirmed. This wasn’t just Payten’s struggle—it was an everyday reality for countless special needs families. I quickly discovered that many individuals like Payten felt lonely, excluded, and struggled to build friendships outside of structured environments.
This realization became my turning point.
I teamed up with Hayden, Payten’s older brother, and together we decided to turn our frustration into action by creating My Special Buddies. Inspired by Payten’s story and the experiences shared by other families, we set out to build a platform where individuals with special needs could connect with others who genuinely care about them, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. Join us in creating a world of inclusion and opportunity for the special needs community—your support drives real change!
-Ellie Ewell
Co-Founder of My Special Buddies
