December 2022 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

COVER STORY: MEET THE BIG DOG, aka Nick Doyle

A shining example of what happens when you give someone an opportunity to show their ability over their disability.

WRITTEN BY MELISSA KLATT PHOTOS BY MICHELLE HERDLICK

Local Stark County resident Nick Doyle is best known by his troupe, The Improvaneers, as the guy who brings the energy and fun. He is a natural leader, and they all look to him as their “big brother.” But what most don’t realize is that Nick has gone through incredible challenges in his 34 years of life and overcame each and every one of them!

THE CHALLENGES BEGIN An “at-birth diagnosis” — meaning his parents did not have any indication Nick would be born with Down syndrome until he arrived in the delivery room — the challenges really began then. In 1988, access to information and support was extremely limited, and when you did find something, it was typically outdated by the time you read it. His infant and toddler years were filled with hospital stays, surgeries and therapies, but his parents were determined to raise him just as they had his older siblings.

Nick struggled with some physical challenges, but socialization and education were his strengths and, ultimately, would become his superpowers! When he entered kindergarten, he became the guy that set “the bar” because of his highfunctioning cognitive levels! But once he transitioned into high school, it became more and more challenging to integrate him in the core curriculum.

“We worked with the Stark County ESC administrators and educators to create opportunities for Nick to remain a core part of the student body by identifying opportunities to choose elective classes such as ASL and horticulture, as well as extracurricular activities such as becoming the baseball team manager,” says mom, Lisa Doyle. “Through these opportunities, he forged what has turned out to be lifelong friendships.”

He worked hard through adversity and graduated GlenOak High School in 2007.

DREAMS INTERRUPTED The excitement of graduation gave way to broken dreams and lonely weekends. He was very interested in the idea of college life…hanging out on the quad, participating in their sports’ programs, living on his own and being independent, all the things most typical 18-year-olds are dreaming of, however again, the next set of challenges reared their ugly head and college would not be an option for Nick.

“Most of his friends either started college and moved away or got full-time jobs and started their careers. Some even got married and started families, thus limiting their availability to hang out with Nick,”says Lisa. “We explored his options, but the support and opportunities to do so were virtually non-existent, so he opted to continue to work at his part-time job at Giant Eagle that he got when in school.”

Fast forward, it’s 10 years later. Nick is still at Giant Eagle, but he just auditioned for and was selected to be part of The Improvaneers — The World’s First, All Down Syndrome Improv Group. Nick was invigorated and excited, and the confidence it instilled in him was about to change his life. But it would not be all sunshine and rainbows, some major challenges were about to try to stop him in his tracks. Over a period of just three short years, Nick would have to overcome:

• A life-threatening illness requiring surgery and a lengthy stay and treatment in the CICU.

• Deal with his mother’s diagnosis and battle with Stage 2 breast cancer.

• The devastating loss of his first best friend — his big brother Tim who bravely fought but lost his battle with cancer

A BORN FIGHTER ALWAYS GETS BACK UP Nick doesn’t know the word QUIT! No one would have blamed him for pulling back and giving up. But even with all the adversity that Nick has faced, he has always met every challenge head-on, and this would be no different. Nick not only thrived with the Improvaneers, he networked himself into a new professional job with The Improvaneer Method and said goodbye to Giant Eagle after 12 successful years. Now rocking the role of Assistant Director and National Sales Executive for The Improvaneer Method, Nick is stepping into his destiny, changing lives for other people with special needs. Nick travels the country sharing his message and demonstrating the benefits realized through the training his company provides.

The Improvaneer Method was founded by creator and comedian, Rob Snow, with Nick’s help to shoot for the stars! Nick is an original cast member and standout performer. Since early 2020, The Improvaneer Method has been teaching individuals each week, either online or in person. What started out as just a few classes has grown to teaching over 500 individuals weekly. You can learn more about the Improvaneer Method by checking out the August version of this magazine online.

In addition to working at The Improvaneer Method, Nick is also a host at the Applebee’s at Belden Village in Canton. Nick saw this as an opportunity to continue to build his communication skills while making some extra money. It has turned into another extended family for him, and, like most things he does, Nick has excelled here as well. In July, Nick was recognized as the employee of the month, and we are not surprised!

A SEAT AT THE TABLE ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS! In addition to his current positions, Nick also holds Board of Director positions with two nonprofit organizations, Stand Up for Downs and Gigi’s Playhouse Canton. Both organizations support individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. On these board seats, Nick’s role is to be the advocate at the highest level of these organizations and to be the representation of the population of people that these organizations are serving. Nick views these Board positions as his way of giving everyone with Down syndrome a seat at the table and an opportunity to be heard.

As Nick continued to flourish, the community began to take notice! Nick has been a keynote speaker for OOD (Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities) at their regional conference on multiple occasions, the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Conference in New Orleans, and the National Leadership Conference for GiGi’s Playhouse in Chicago. Nick has also been featured on the jumbotron at Times Square in New York as part of National Down Syndrome Month, the Kelly Clarkson Show, The List and multiple features on local news stations.

In 2021, he was named to the class of Twenty Under 40, something Nick takes great pride in. Kelly Piero, Director of Marketing for the Canton Regional Chamber stated, “Twenty under 40 is a recognition program through the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and their Ystark initiative. Through this, young professional leaders are recognized and celebrated for making a lasting impact on their community and beyond. Nick being honored as one of our recipients was monumental in so many ways. Nick is so deserving of the recognition, and the program is fortunate to have him in the club of alumni. To date, there have now been 300 individuals given the award, many of whom have gone on to become elected officials, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and more. They remain difference-makers and trailblazers. Nick Doyle is no different!”

ABOUT THE PHOTO

SHOOT Special thanks to the wonderful folks at Castle Noel. They were kind enough to allow us to do this month’s cover photo session inside their facility, utilizing their amazing scenery, memorabilia and one-of-a-kind movie props to create some incredible photos for this article. Nick, Michelle and Mike all had the best time doing this photo shoot, I only wish we had a place to show all the “out-take images” that weren’t quite fit for the magazine article!

Castle Noel, America’s Largest Year Round Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction, features so many wonderful things to see and do. Housing the world’s largest privately owned collection of Hollywood Christmas movie props and costumes from your favorite Christmas movies, including The Grinch; Elf; Santa Claus The Movie, Fred Claus; The Santa Clause 1, 2 and 3; Jingle All The Way; Christmas Carol; Deck the Halls and MORE.

Also at Castle Noel is millions of dollars of animated NEW YORK CITY Christmas windows from Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s Toronto’s Hudson Bay window displays are also set and ready to wow! These amazing windows will delight guests of all ages. Feel like a kid again in our “I Had That” toyland experience. Filled with thousands of toys from ‘50s through the ‘80s. You’re sure to say “I Had That.”

Sprinkled into the magic is the Blizzard Vortex, Santa’s Chimney Squeeze and 25’ tall animated Christmas tree, It snows inside and you’ll even get to ride a slide, just like Ralphie. Guests who ride the slide over 80 years old become a part of our “Wall of Fame”. To date Castle Noel’s oldest slide rider is 101 1/2 years old.

If you haven’t visited Castle Noel, be sure to check them out. Castle Noel is located at 260 S. Court St., Medina, Ohio 44256. Visit them online at www.castlenoel.com.