Katie Cortelyou and Tiffany Krauss
Friendship program - Citizens
Katie (Buddy):
“Can you imagine life without a friend? I can, because Best Buddies was not available in Indiana when I was in school. I had a supportive family but I missed having someone in school to say “hi” to in the halls, to sit with at lunch, to talk to about my day, and to make plans with for social activities.”
“In 1993, my dreams came true when Best Buddies came to Indiana and the State Director asked me if I wanted to be paired with a buddy. My life changed when I experienced the gift of having someone, my own age, to talk to and to call my friend. With a best buddy you can enjoy life and have fun eating out, going bowling, going to the movies, to athletic games, and even having the amazing experience to be a bridesmaid in your buddy’s wedding.”
“I first joined Best Buddies with the College program. As I was getting older, I knew that I would age out of the College program. I found that Best Buddies is the gift that just keeps on giving and they were not going to let me down. In 2014, the Citizens program came to Indiana and I was matched with an “adult” buddy, who is outstanding.”
“Tiffany Krauss is more than I could ever have imagined and she should be the “role model” for all Citizens Buddies. Tiffany is showing me how to rise to meet every opportunity and to always reach for the stars. She takes time to call me to talk about our week, to come up with fun ideas for getting together, and we set a date for a “girls weekend and sleep over”, which is a first in my life. WOW! I really do have a friend.”
Tiffany (Peer Buddy):
“Katie is my family that came about through friendship. She inspires me to only ever see the good in others. She also inspires me to let go of fears. I’ll never forget the words she said at our sleepover to get the girls to sing karaoke. “If I can speak in front of 11,000 people then you can sing with me!” And they did it without hesitation. Katie is my rock, my support, my go – getter. I’ve never been so inspired by another person. I joined Best Buddies to be a friend and in doing so I gained a sister. A dear friend once summed up how the world should work in one phrase “because nice matters”. Katie personifies this saying. To Katie, “nice matters, and that is the way she lives her life.”