Your Stories

  At Bright Buddies, we believe that every child, regardless of ability, deserves respect, love, and the opportunity to thrive. Recently, Gus Walz, a 17-year-old with a nonverbal learning disorder, anxiety, and ADHD, showed us the power of love and support during a deeply personal moment at the Democratic National Convention. His heartfelt reaction to his father’s speech touched many, but it also led to unfortunate bullying online—a reminder of why our mission is so critical.     Children like Gus face enough challenges without being subjected to online hate. Bullying, whether in person or online, is never acceptable. It...

    Introduction: At Bright Buddies, we strive to create a world where every individual with autism feels understood, supported, and embraced. Our mission took an unexpected turn when our founder, Simon, had a remarkable encounter with a 12 year-old non-verbal boy named Maximus (Max) at a community complex in Irvine, California. This serendipitous meeting not only touched Simon's heart but also set in motion a series of events that led to an incredible connection between Max's family and our own. This blog post shares the heartwarming story of Simon and Max, demonstrating the power of compassion, understanding, and friendship....