Buddy Cruises Chooses Self-Advocate

It was a tough decision. But, at the end of the day, the board of directors of Buddy Cruises selected athlete Brad Hennefer to serve as its Soul Knows No Bounds self-advocate on the next cruise scheduled for Oct. 16-23.

Earlier this year, Buddy Cruises, a Lithia-based nonprofit, and sponsor Driven Inc. clothing line, put out a call for developmentally challenged candidates to vie for the Soul Knows No Bounds self-advocate's post.

"We received so many inspiring stories and were deeply touched by each and every one," said Buddy Cruises founder, Pam Arnoldson of FishHawk Ranch. "It was truly a difficult task to choose only three, and, even more difficult to select only one."

Arnoldson said they ultimately chose Hennefer because he is "living proof that society's boundaries can't hold him back."

Hennefer, 22, of Cherry Hill, N.J., is the first person with Down syndrome to play two high school varsity sports--golf and basketball. He is also the inspiration for the Brad Hennefer Golf for Life Foundation, which provides golf opportunities for indivdiuals with Down syndrome. 

Hennefer was a keynote speaker at the 2006 National Down Syndrome Congress conference and continues to conduct workshops for the NDSC each year. He was featured in the national media on "Good Morning America," in Sports Illustrated, the New York Times and on all three major TV networks.

Hennefer also has stories published about him in "Chicken Soup for the Soul Inside Basketball" and "Gifts 2." 

Hennefer currently holds two jobs--one for Wegmans supermarket chain, ranked by Forbes Magazine as the second best employer in the U.S., and another with Aramark Corp.

"His heart and soul are truly an inspiration to those who hear him speak as he shares is message that 'While the Destination is Important, the Journey is the Ultimate Reward,'" said Arnoldson, noting that Hennefer will receive two tickets for the upcoming cruise. "It would be an honor for Brad to share his journey on the Buddy Cruise."

Arnoldson, the mother of three including 7-year-old Joseph, who was born with Down syndrome, started Buddy Cruises four years ago as a way for families with children with Down syndrome to get together for socialization and education. 

Since then, Buddy Cruises, a registered nonprofit, has attracted hundreds of families from around the country to its annual cruise.

The cruises have attracted national speakers on Down syndrome including Chris Burke, the 45-year-old actor with Down syndrome who appeared as the character Corky in "Life Goes On" and "Touched by an Angel. 

"These kids on the cruise have a chance to meet other people with Down syndrome who are doing great things -- authors, actors and musicians," said Arnoldson. "It's a long way from how it used to be when parents were told their children with Down syndrome should be institutionalized because they'd never be able to accomplish anything in life."

Buddy Cruises were a hit from the start, said Arnoldson. The first cruise took place in 2008 and cruised to the Bahamas with two national speakers featured.

The second cruise toured Grand Cayman and Cozumel. And last year's cruise, attracting nearly 200 people, headed back to the Bahamas where the families had an opportunity to tour the Down Syndrome Center in the Bahamas and share their speakers with Bahamian families.

"Every year, we get more families," she said. "Each year it seems like more of a reunion. We're really an extended family because we have the same families coming back again and again."

In addition to speakers, there are dances, barbecue lunches on the beach, ice cream parties and book signings, bedtime stories, Wii tournaments,  entertainment, contests and other activities for families.

Arnoldson is currently taking registrations for the October cruise, to take place Oct. 16-23 on a Royal Caribbean Freedom-class ship. The will depart from Cape Canaveral and visit Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and a private Royal Caribbean island off the coast of Haiti. Anyone interested can make reservations by calling 877-BDYCRUZ or e-mailing joinus@BuddyCruise.com. 

"This year's is a seven-day cruise, the longest we've done," said Arnoldson. 

Arnoldson also is seeking sponsors, donations of items for the gift bags and raffle items.

"Last year we did a silent auction with books, two round-trip plane tickets and four Disney World tickets," she said. "Anything we get is appreciated. We need funds so we can provide more resources for our families. And we would love to be able to offer scholarships to families. There are so many more people we'd love to touch."

For more information, visit www.buddycruise.com.