Brookfield Brother-Sister Duo Combat Disabilities

Damian survived cancer — twice. Chelsea is raising two children on the autism spectrum. And now they're working toward stepping up the standards on viewing disabilities.

They come from an everyday Brookfield home, not from a rich or philanthropic background. But siblings Chelsea Budde and Damian Buchman are working to make the world a better place after hurdles in their own lives sparked a drastic and immediate need for change.  This duo has both faced major adversity in their lives, with Budde raising two children on the autism spectrum and Buchman surviving a two-time, one-in-one-billion cancer diagnosis. But those hurdles have driven the creation of Good Friend, Inc., a program that teaches awareness, empathy and acceptance, and a mission to build The Ability Center, a facility specifically designed for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.  "There is zero other philanthropy in the family, …

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East Grad, Cancer Survivor Damian Buchman Inspires Disabled Athletes

Buchman, a 1996 Brookfield East High School graduate, bone cancer survivor and wheelchair basketball athlete is working on dreams for "The Ability Center" for able and disabled physical recreation.