From the Big Buddy files
Stories of Hope *
Prepared by Big Buddy CEO, Richard Aston
* Names changed to protect individual privacy.
Sam’s Story
This shy and sensitive 8 yr old never knew his father and had rarely ventured outside his small suburb. At the initial interview I asked him what he would most like to do, he whispered to his mother "I want to make things out of wood", this was the holy grail for him. We matched him with a sensitive Big Buddy who earns his living from his own wood working studio. Sam has learnt to make toys and helps out with simple furniture making tasks, he is heaven. His Big Buddy has taken him out sailing and allowed him to cook on a real fire barbeque, the first time Sam had seen one.
Sam is so happy his mum is now worried it won’t last; worried about the devastation if the Big Buddy leaves. His Big Buddy won’t leave, he is getting so much out of this and he says he is in for the long haul.
Tim’s Story
This 6 yr old suffered greatly at the hands of his father and mother, both violent, both now addicts in prison. He is now raised by his Grandmother who struggles with his other siblings. Tim’s background may have caused his autistic tendencies, he would cower when ever a man entered the room, would cry every Christmas because no father would come for him. On first meeting his Big Buddy he ran to him, grabbed his leg and said "are you for me?", a profoundly moving moment for the Big Buddy.
After months of outings with his Big Buddy he is a very happy boy, sings and whistles at home, "I have never heard him do that before" said his Grandmother. His Big Buddy discovered he loves mechanical things and now collects old toasters, clocks etc for Tim to dismantle on the weekend. His Big Buddy is continually astounded at the small simple things that make him the happy boy he is today.
Matthew’s Story
Matthew came from a troubled background and was being treated for severe anxiety problems when matched with his Big Buddy 4 years ago. For the first 2 years of this mentoring relationship his life was going from strength to strength until his older brother committed suicide triggering his mother into a nervous breakdown. During this trauma Matthew was strongly supported by his Big Buddy , his mother still struggles to find the words to express her gratitude for this help.
The dedicated commitment of Matthew’s Big Buddy to this relationship has been crucial in helping Matthew find a growing self confidence. Matthew is now passionate about learning music and both he and his Big Buddy say "this is for life".
Simon’s story
Simon was a young 7 yr old when we matched him to John an enthusiastic man in his early thirties . Simon lost his dad a while ago and as he grows up is losing his memories of him. What memories he has left of his dad are now somehow tied up in a special soft toy he keeps in his bedroom. He is often found stroking this toy and crying, quietly. With this and problems at school life had become a bit serious for this boy. At the first match meeting Simon was a little shy at first with John but it wasn’t long before the two of them were rolling around on the floor playing with fire engines and trucks making so much noise Simon’s mother and I had to find a quieter place in the house to talk. I was thinking that maybe life had been getting pretty serious for John as well with career changes and job hunting so the chance to just play was too good to miss.
Footnote: After 6 months John accepted a job offer in another city and asked to close the match. A month later he called me to say he had missed his visits with Simon too much and was still calling him weekly and travelling back as often as he could afford, to see him, he thought he could end the relationship but his heart had other plans.
