WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Non-profit organization named Best Buddies is giving a West Lafayette Citizen a brand new look on their life.
Throughout Paul Mycroft's life, he has dealt with several bumps in the road. At a young age, Mycroft was diagnosed with ADHD and eventually left his parents after it was learned he was being abused by them.

"I grew up in an abusive family and because of that a lot of fears and no confidence," stated Mycroft.

After Mycroft left his home in Covington, Indiana, he moved to West Lafayette to start a new life, and the non-profit Best Buddies gave him safety to express his emotions.

"Joining Best Buddies I have overcome my fear of being abused and now I'm celebrating recovery," said Mycroft.

The non-profit pair’s students with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mycroft recently sat down with Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski and discussed his story.

"You know nobody is going to walk away and not motivated to help best buddies. They talk to Paul and listen to it and they're going to walk away motivated to get involved. Whether it is to be a mentor in the program, whether it's to be an advocate, whether it's financial. They're going to want to help Paul spread that good word and be involved," stated Mayor Roswarski.

Purdue University Best Buddies Social Media Chair Alexa Adams says Mycroft has become a helpful addition to the team and he proved that while at the best buddies' leadership conference.

"He wrote an incredible speech and he just has a positive outlook on the entire weekend, I learned a lot from him, I'm sure he learned a lot from the workshops throughout the weekend as well," stated Adams.

Adams said over 80 members are a part of Purdue University's Best Buddies Club, and she hopes for the program to keep on growing.

"Purdue is such a diverse campus and so including people with disabilities is just another way that makes us unique," stated Adams.

Mycroft's goal is to become an Ambassador for Best Buddies and tour around the state to talk to others who went through the same situations that he goes through daily.

"Best Buddies has given me the opportunity to not only have friendship but also be a leadership leader and a self-advocate," added Mycroft.