Taylor Bargnesi and Arianna Howard are "besties forever." But in more recent years Bargnesi has taken on a new role: Howard's guardian.

"Ari can do anything I can do," said Bargnesi of her life with Howard, who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with an intellectual disability.

"It's just do you have the time, do you have the patience to find out."

Howard began living with Bargnesi in September 2020, and in May 2021, Bargnesi became her guardian when the Norwich Probate Court granted Bargnesi authority to manage care for Howard in a residence "outside the natural family home," according to a court document.

As Bargnesi stepped into her new role, she said she had to navigate the difficult transition from being the best friend who Howard always called for, to now also being a caregiver.

"I used to be the person that came in, scooped her away, we would have a party for three days, and then she'd come back. Whereas now we have a party all the time," Bargnesi said, but they also do the regular activities in life, such as showering and helping her with occupational therapy or feeding and stretching, and Howard may now associate her with some of those less-fun tasks.