Abby Thornton Seeks to Help Advocate for Others
For a period during her high school years, Abby Thornton was having a hard time managing her mental health. It was thanks to a teacher that Abby discovered Best Buddies and began to heal herself finding purpose in helping others.
In 2024, Abby was awarded the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program’s Difference Maker of the Year Award for her work as president of the Best Buddies Club. This is Abby’s story.
Joining Best Buddies
“I joined the club through a very special teacher who at the time was helping me better my mental health and provided me with loads of resources to support my journey. She saw the qualities in me that were good and encouraged me to join the program,” Abby explained.
The Best Buddies program operates in more than 49 countries and territories worldwide and “firmly believes that friendship is important in the development of all people. For people with intellectual disabilities, friendship is a medium through which they become active members of the community.”
Abby’s High School, Fredericton High School, had a branch, and after being introduced to the program by her teacher, Abby jumped right in.
“I have always wanted to be a nurse because one thing that has stuck with me through my entire life was the urge to help people and make a real difference,” she noted. “The Best Buddies program was something that aligned so well with my wants and needs in life and was something I was instantly drawn to.”
Building Connection
She was soon paired with her first buddy.
“Starting out I saw her about twice a week, but by the time we graduated together I was seeing her up to three times a day, outside of school hours and on weekends,” Abby explained.
The connections she made with individuals in the group helped her find friendship and purpose in her time when she felt lost.
“Becoming the president of the club helped me be able to reach more students, neurotypical and neurodivergent,” she said. “By the time I graduated I made over 40 personal connections with students of varying abilities, many of which I have continued to connect with even after graduating from school.”
Abby’s Future
Abby is now a student at the University of New Brunswick pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing. While there, she wants to continue to be involved in Best Buddies.
“I plan to continue working with clubs such as Best Buddies and others at my university, it is a part of me that I never want to leave behind and something I value so much,” Abby said. “I have also kept in close contact with many students from my high school to continue our lifelong friendships. I plan to visit often for lunches, basketball games, crafts and more.”
Further, she wants to use her nursing degree to continue to advocate for accessibility.
“I want to be an advocate for the rest of my life. I hope to work hands on with people to make a difference in their lives but to also use my education and experience to help in the world of research to make health care and advocacy a priority, no matter your abilities,” Abby explained. “I hope one day to be able to make a difference in the accessibility and equality of the care and opportunities provided to people of varied abilities within the healthcare system.”
The RHFSP Difference Maker of the Year Award celebrates and recognizes youth, youth groups, and classrooms in Canada who are leaders in making a positive impact for inclusion and accessibility in either their school or broader community.
Do you know someone who is working to make a difference in their community? Read the eligibility criteria and nominate them now! Nominations are open until April 6, 2025. Nominate a Difference Maker
