Friendships Daysharing

By Sydney Kerelo

“While studying for my undergraduate degree, I studied Music and American Studies, focusing on the study of systemic inequalities within the United States,” explains Riordan. “One of my work-study jobs was working on advocating for Disability Rights, and I loved it.”

According to Riordan, people historically thought that food, water, and shelter were the only necessities for living a good life. But that’s not true. When considering a holistic life, all individuals need human connection and interaction.

Riordan has met numerous people with disabilities who have told her they’ve never had a friend. They’ve only had paid staff or family members; they’ve never had someone to hang out with who likes talking to them without payment.

“You can be close with a staff person or family member, but it’s a different dynamic than being close with a friend,” says Riordan. “Amanda is my friend; it’s not work for me. When we video chat, I don’t do it from my office; I do it in my bedroom to create that separation.”

And for Amanda, it’s a new friend to enjoy. With a full life, Amanda juggles her friendships in Daysharing, her family, her boyfriend, and her job; but she adores spending time with Riordan every week.

Daysharing allows people with disabilities to create those shared connections and learn how to be a friend back. If someone has never had a friend, they may be unsure how to address someone or don’t know how to handle a taboo topic. Daysharing lets them have those interactions and learn how to create healthy friendships and sustain them.

“Amanda has become such an important part of my life,” says Riordan. “She told me that meeting me was one of the best things ever happening to her.”

Every week, Amanda and Riordan meet for a virtual chat and share what they’ve done that week, what shows they’ve enjoyed watching, and even current projects they are working on.

Amanda is writing a soap opera script on a teen drama with themes of love, mystery, and danger. She highlights different healthy and unhealthy relationship styles and offers a diverse cast full of people with disabilities and those that are neurotypical.

“It’s very vulnerable to put yourself out there, but I think having the extra support from friendships is incredibly helpful,” says Riordan with a smile. While the pair’s friendship was built virtually, both look forward to connecting for more inperson dates in the coming months, especially over their shared love of a new Disney movie— The Little Mermaid.