INSPIRED GIFT

DURING HIS BRIEF TIME IN THIS WORLD, NICHOLAS CALABRO MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Born with a debilitating condition, it was against all odds that Nicholas Calabro learned to eat, walk and enjoy life with his parents, Mike and Michelle, and his sister Jenna.

Mike Calabro describes the day of the Advocate photo shoot, when, for the first time, Nicholas met the paramedics who saved him.

“He hugged them. Now that might

Paying It Forward

Special education teacher Joshua Schilling founded H.E.R.O.E.S. 12 years ago and today is the executive director. His wife, Jackie, sidelined her career to stay at home with their children — Nicholas, now 20, who has multiple disabilities as well as chronic deteriorative medical conditions; Kiersten, 9, and Ethan, 6, who also has multiple medical and genetic disorders.

Part of the impetus for H.E.R.O.E.S. was the desire to offer opportunity to all people with disabilities, no matter how severe.

Nicholas first appeared in the Advocate in 2009, in a story about heroes — it featured two paramedics who saved Nicholas’ life after his dad found him floating face down in the family pool. Even after 15 minutes of unsuccessful CPR in the Calabros’ backyard, Kent Mandernach and Kelly Kovar did not give up.

“We both have sons that age and maybe, who knows, maybe that’s what made us keep working even though things looked so bad,” Mandernach told us at the time.

And en route to Presbyterian Hospital, Nicholas’ heart started beating again.

Five Full Years

Nicholas lived another five years; a little more than three years ago, while a senior at Lake Highlands High School, he died suddenly at age 18.

But those years were a gift, his father says.

“We still celebrate him and all of the enlightenment he gave to everyone he encountered,” he adds.

not sound like much, but Nick’s condition, well, he did not hug people. And these were guys he couldn’t possibly remember, because he was not conscious. Yet he saw them, and there was this recognition.”

Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the whole family went to Disneyworld, a trip that was scheduled prior to the pool accident.

“It was the best vacation. I can’t tell you just how much we cherished it, after coming so close to losing him. That close call made every second we had together so special.”

But Nicholas’ absolute favorite part of those last few years was a summer camp called H.E.R.O.E.S., which stands for Helping Everyone Reach Outstanding Educational Success.

Nicholas loved H.E.R.O.E.S. Camp, where, surrounded by beloved peers and understanding adults, he spent six weeks each summer going to the movies, dining out and exploring museums, among other things.

“Director [Kim Reed] and I believe that students with any abilities can and will be successful if the right supports and accommodations are in place,” Josh explains. “We work on everyday life skills and how to be independent in the community” — that might mean buying their own lunch at a restaurant or going to Hawaiian Falls.

It started out very small, Schilling says, but today they serve approximately 700 families and have a waiting list of about 100 students for the 2016 summer camp.

“We started with five kids. We still have all five of them participate in different ways, 12 years later.”

The directors also trained for and added unique courses to involve siblings, including a support network called Sibshops.

And in the near future H.E.R.O.E.S. will implement yearround programming.

But providing the necessary medical services, plus classes like yoga and Jazzercise that require professional instruction, is expensive, thus the camp costs about $400 per week.