2016-2021, chronicled in a few momentous and/or hilarious and/or simply joyful pictures. Click on each to find out why…
We hang with Nicky every Saturday and Sunday, first eating dinner then hanging out in his man-cave, where our view is an hour or so of him browsing Disney on YouTube so Cheryl can re-enact scenes and Alex can…try…
During the summer, visits to his parent’s house are a bit easier when it involves a swim in the pool. Swims are even more fun when they involve giant swans we can float on.
The family has turned Nicky’s abuse into a legislative action to create a registry of abusers so providers don’t unknowingly re-employ people substantiated of abuse.
Yep, that’s Mama dressed as an elderly Jasmine, Nicky as Jafar, and Papa as Genie during our local Autism Center’s Halloween Bash. Nobody does Aladdin better than the Chans!
Nicky’s Dad (“Papa”) Alex is definitely Nicky’s favorite – except when it comes to doing Disney lines. Then, it’s all about Mama.
Nicky’s Mom (“Mama”) is the MASTER at doing Disney lines and that’s how she and Nicky communicate, connect and play.
Every Tuesday during the 2020 pandemic, Nicky has come to the family home to spend some time with his Mama. This was a bit of a miracle; prior to 2020 Nicky was unable to visit without terrible stress and anxiety.
Nicky’s favorite color, hands down, is red. His caregiver sent this in the fall of 2020 when he was on his way out, saying he was super proud of his cool red shoes.
Dinner with Mama and Papa every Saturday and Sunday, preferably shirtless, is the best. We go to his house and hang out until he kicks us out.
In 2014 Nicky began wearing a helmet to protect his head, because head banging is his go-to stress reliever when he’s upset. Around 2018 the team began to slowly remove it for brief periods. Now he wears it in public and actually asks for it when he’s feeling stressed.
Never before imagined, Nicky and his “posse” of 3 staff accompanied his Mom to see Aladdin on stage in Boston. It was amazing.
Nicky and his posse. Don’t mess with ANY of them!
We love this picture of Nicky’s staff trading headgear!
Chores are fun when you’ve got friends with you (…sometimes…)
Cheryl, Nicky’s Mom, and others being interviewed for a news story on Nicky’s Law.
Selfies with besties!
Cheryl, Nicky’s Mom, presents all over the country to families and organizations on person-centered planning, philosophy, and on Nicky’s journey, to inspire others to reach high and advocate unceasingly.
Making faces is a riot. No doubt we were acting out a Disney scene of some kind.
Nicky loves to bake, but the waiting during bake time is sooooo hard :-).
Successful Transitions 