WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The bad weather pushed the annual Bryson’s Buddies Games indoors on Tuesday, but those in attendance say they wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
It’s all to honor a young man, Bryson Furtado, who died by suicide in 2022 and keep his memory alive.
“It’s just a day to help special needs people feel normal,” said Anderson King, one of Bryson’s friends.
It’s a day for dozens of high school students with disabilities from across New Hanover County to step up to the plate and play baseball.
“Just puts a lot of smiles on people’s faces,” said Brian Furtado, Bryson’s dad.
The games were started by Bryson when he was a senior in high school back in 2019.
“Every senior student has to come up with a project, do a bunch of research on it,” said King.
The games were Furtado’s senior project because he had a passion for helping those with disabilities.
“It was the start of something awesome,” said Brian.
However, Bryson didn’t live to see what it became, at least not physically. Three years ago, Bryson died by suicide.
“January 15, 2022,” said Kim Furtado, Bryson’s mom.
Four months after that day, the community and Bryson’s friends and family brought back these games in his honor.
“Every year it’s grown bigger,” said John G. Murray, another one of Bryson’s friends.
“A big reason as to why something like this has continued to keep going is just because of who he was as a person,” said Kyle Smith, another of Bryson’s friends.
Bryson is the reason they keep coming back to support the games every year.
“This is what helps him live on,” said King.
Whether it’s handing out posters or throwing the first pitch, Bryson’s parents are always there too, no matter how hard it sometimes is.
“We still have a hard time and struggle with it daily but we have hope and we know for sure where are son is and we’ll see him again one day,” said Brian. “We know when we do things like this he’s up there smiling upon us and upon the event.”
“Bryson is up in the stands of heaven cheering his heart out,” said Kim.
Bryson’s friends and family say they hope to continue having the games each year and that it only gets bigger and bigger.
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