Lucky 7 Years of Lisa and Linda’s Friendship

“It was a slushy day, and Lisa wore her red suede high-heeled boots,” Linda recalls of the first time she and her Friend met. “I don’t remember all the details, but I just remember it being easy. Everything just clicked.” 

For Linda, that meeting came at a moment of transition. Newly retired from a clerical and research-heavy career, she found herself searching for something different. She missed the natural rhythm of daily interaction and, with more time on her hands, began looking for volunteer opportunities that also offered connection. She signed up as an Ally with ABLE2’s Matching Program with some hesitation, mindful of her own disability and what participation might require. But as she learned more about the program’s structure and the support provided by the social workers, she felt reassured.

Lisa had been waiting for a connection of her own. “I didn’t have many friends, I felt isolated,” she shares. She worked part-time in security, but outside of her job, her social world was limited. She hoped to meet an Ally to spend time with, someone to go outdoors with, talk to, and simply be herself around. 

In 2019, Linda and Lisa were matched, and neither knew quite what to expect. 

Lisa remembers feeling nervous. “What if she didn’t like me?” she recalls. But Linda’s warmth and easygoing nature quickly put her at ease. Over time, their outings became familiar, then meaningful, and eventually something they both counted on. 

Today, they get together once or twice a month, sometimes more. They go grocery shopping, grab breakfast or lunch, and celebrate their birthdays and holidays together. Lisa cuts Linda’s hair regularly. They walk Lisa’s dog Ace, whom she adopted around the same time she met Linda. From kayaking to attending a Pitbull concert to accompanying each other to medical appointments, they simply enjoy being in each other’s company. Over the years, Lisa and Linda have become each other’s person, just by consistently showing up for one another. 

For Lisa, those moments have made a lasting difference. “Linda lightens my life,” she says. With Linda by her side, her anxiety about going out into the community has eased. She feels more confident, more relaxed, and happier in her day-to-day life. Having someone who consistently shows up has helped her feel safe, supported, and connected. 

For Linda, the impact is just as meaningful. “Our friendship changed my life too,” she says. “Lisa grounds me. She is my sounding board for a lot of my stuff, and we support each other.”

Both women understand what it means to live with a disability, and both were looking for connection. Neither expected to find someone who would fit so naturally into their lives. 

Looking back, Linda is clear about what made it work. “It’s not difficult at all. It benefits both of us in different ways. It’s a no-brainer.” Lisa agrees, and encourages others to consider volunteering: “If you have the extra time and mental state to do so, do it. There are people who really need a friend to go out with. It’s a life-changing opportunity.”

Seven years in, Linda and Lisa’s friendship is a reminder that impact doesn’t always come from big moments. Sometimes it grows quietly, through time spent together, through trust, and through simply being there. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you find your person. 

For over 50 years, ABLE2’s Matching Program has been changing lives, creating intentional, one-to-one friendships between individuals with disabilities and volunteers. These matches reduce social isolation, build confidence, and offer meaningful connections.

Your support makes friendships like Lisa and Linda’s possible. By donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, you help ensure no one walks through life alone.

Learn more or get involved at www.able2.org.