Our Story
Our Story
Where There's a Will, There's a Way®
In 2008, Beth Gibson brought her three-year-old son, Will, to the tennis courts in Columbus, Ohio. While others played, Will watched, eager to join. When a coach stepped in to teach him, Beth saw what was possible, and what was missing.
There were few opportunities designed specifically for individuals with Down syndrome, and even fewer that offered consistency, structure, and a path for long-term growth.
So she created one.
From One Court to a Nationwide Movement
What started as a single tennis clinic quickly became Buddy Up Tennis, a weekly program built not just to teach the game, but to build confidence, connection, and belonging. As Will grew, the program grew with him, expanding across the country and earning national recognition from the United States Tennis Association as a leader in adaptive tennis.
But the biggest impact wasn’t just on the court. It was in the friendships formed, the confidence gained, and the independence that began to take shape.
Creating a Pathway for Lifelong Learning
As Will’s needs evolved, Beth realized that individuals with Down syndrome did not just need programs, they needed a lifelong pathway.
That vision became Buddy Up for Life.
Today, more than 1,000 Athletes and Students participate in consistent, weekly programming across Athletic, Life Skills, and Social development, all designed to grow with them, for life.