Patrick and Champ the Horse at the Highland Park Homecoming Pep Rally.
Patrick and Peer Buddy Meredith
by LINDSEY MILLER
Volunteer | Best Buddies Texas
Highland Park High School graduate and homecoming king, Patrick O’Boyle, is a very special young man who was granted a very special wish. Patrick, who has Down Syndrome, is a member of the Best Buddies Program at his high school.
Best Buddies helped make his dream of becoming the Equipment Manager for his favorite NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, a reality. This surprise presentation took place during the Highland Park Homecoming pep rally.
Patrick is currently in his fourth year as the Highland Park basketball team manager, and was hired as the SMU football equipment manager this year.
He is a star Special Olympics basketball player and is known campus-wide for his unconditional school spirit and enthusiasm.
When Patrick sat down for frozen yogurt with Best Buddies Volunteer, Lindsey Miller, he recalled how the whole Highland Park varsity team would come out to watch his Special Olympics basketball games.
Patrick can recite scores, players and stats for many teams and sports, but basketball has always been his favorite. He grew up playing basketball with his dad in the driveway, and for his 21st birthday this year, Patrick and his dad are going to a Mavs game.
This birthday celebration was even more special to Patrick as he sat on the sidelines as part of his favorite NBA team. He met the players and helped the team with their equipment during the Dallas Mavericks Fan Jam at the American Airlines Center.
Patrick has been part of the Best Buddies Program for several years, enjoying the benefits of having one-on-one relationships and spending quality time enriching each others’ lives.
Meredith Barnes, his current Peer Buddy, is a senior at Highland Park and member of the Highland Belles. Before Meredith, Patrick was Buddies with her older brother Art, a former Highland Park varsity basketball team member.
Best Buddies introduces socialization opportunities and provides the necessary tools for people with intellectual disabilities to become more independent and involved in the community. Best Buddies is developing its jobs program in the Dallas area and is shinning the light on participants who have secured employment.
Patrick has been able to develop his social skills and love of sports thanks to his Best Buddies. He has pursued his love of sports and found employment with the SMU football team. “My favorite part are my paychecks in the bank,” – Patrick O’Boyle.
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