The Mighty Logo

FarmHouse Fraternity Initiates Josh Bank, First Member With Down Syndrome

The most helpful emails in health
Browse our free newsletters

On Sept. 24, University of Kentucky’s FarmHouse fraternity initiated Josh Banks, its first member with Down syndrome. In a statement on Facebook, Ben Bohannon, chapter president wrote, “Josh is already one of our Brothers, but now we get to make it official.”

We could not be more excited about what tomorrow means for FarmHouse, for the Down’s syndrome community, and for…

Posted by FarmHouse Fraternity, University of Kentucky Chapter on Sunday, September 23, 2018

The fraternity said it believes Banks is the first man with Down syndrome to be inducted to FarmHouse as well as the first man with Down syndrome to join a social fraternity.

Banks befriended Brack Duncan, a FarmHouse member, three years ago. The pair met while Duncan was a volunteer at STRIDE, a therapeutic recreation program for teens and young adults with disabilities. Their friendship continued beyond the program, and Duncan invited Banks to hang out at the fraternity and attend events, where Banks connected with other members.

In an interview with University of Kentucky News, Duncan said, “I think that a lot of people were intrigued. They started to hang out with him and see how cool he really is — he likes to do all the stuff they like to do and started inviting him to be part of things.” The more Banks got to do with the group, the more the fraternity’s members saw his as a friend, Duncan added.

Duncan presented the idea of initiating Banks. He spoke with Bohannon and other members of the fraternity, who were all supportive of the idea.

Monday, September 24th was the most important date in recent Kentucky FarmHouse history. The ceremony went off without a…

Posted by FarmHouse Fraternity, University of Kentucky Chapter on Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Duncan believes the members of the Fraternity saw the importance and value Banks brought to their group, “We took that first step and now, we’re here” he said. “He’s a FarmHouse man now.”

Banner image screenshot from University of Kentucky’s video.

Originally published: October 29, 2018
Want more of The Mighty?
You can find even more stories on our Home page. There, you’ll also find thoughts and questions by our community.
Take Me Home