Meet Our Members!

Christopher's birthday is August 9th and he his favorite color is red because he likes to watch USC football with his dad.  Growing up with two other sibilings, he enjoys being around others and hearing the chatter.  He loves being at his sister's volleyball game with all the cheering and high fiving.  Christophers' favorite thing is being able to attend Nest everyday and be to be with his friends.  Despite his blindness and hearing loss, he knows when he arrives in class after going through a long hallway to the gym and then hearing his friend Alex in the classroom who makes it knows to everyone that she is present with her happy yelling!

Alex loves spending time with her family, especially her brother and Papa!  Alex loves books, swimming and anything to do with water.  Alex absolutely loves riding the bus and going for walks around the neighborhood or area parks.  Alex loves attending Nest Academy and being able to socialize with her friends.  Although they are both non-verbal, she and her friend Christopher have a special way of communicating.  Alex loves music and really enjoys the music therapy Nest provides as well as the art projects.  Alex enjoys all of the fieldtrips Nest plans and socializing with her peers.

Stefan lives in the county and at home he loves going for walks outside and riding his bike.  As a part of Nest Academy, Stefan enjoys going to class and seeing his friends, as well as getting out in the community for field trips.  His favorite things are anything Harry Potter, music, science, cooking shows and books.  Stefan doesn't let cerebral palsy and a wheelchair keep him from being an active member in the community.

Mary Grace is a very happy young adult that loves to spend time with friends at Nest Academy.  Mary Grace also loves long walks, the beach, ECU football games, anything Disney and hanging out with her big sister.  Mary Grace is non-verbal, but she uses an eye gaze system that allows her to use her eyes to choose words on a voice generating device to let her thoughts and opinions knows.  

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Kyle enjoys being in a setting of friends and family.  Kyle has 8 siblings and a family where he has a lot of love.  Kyle enjoys milkshakes and music.  This has always been an important part of his life.  Kyle in non-verbal yet he will say small lyrics from a song.  It is amazing to hear this.  Kyle is very happy to be a part of Nest and to be among his Nest friends.  There is a special atmosphere at Nest where the friends gather.  We are happy to have found such a gathering of friends.  

Jule has an extremely rare diagnosis of Trapp C9.  Jule is non-verbal and has severe developmental delays.  Jule is an extremely happy and engaging person.  Jule loves music, she loves to swing and to ride in her golf cart.  Mostly Jule just loves to sit and hang out with you!

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Jimmy is the oldest of five children, and he is very much the center of his family.  He loves the chaos of his house and finds so much joy with his siblings.  Despite his severe intellectual and physical challenges, he enjoys being active.  He has been a member of Miracles in Motion Dance Troupe for ten years!  He also loves racing with Inclusive Racing and participating in church.  Jimmy thrives at the Nest Academy because he loves to be social and has really enjoyed music therapy and playing soccer!  His family is beyond thankful to see him so happy, and they also enjoy getting to spend time with the other students and families, too!

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Samuel is very easy going and happy. His amazing smile never fails to make other people smile! He loves watching football (Go Washington!), going to the park, listening to music/dance parties, and spending time with family. While he has many physical, developmental and medical challenges he is always up for engaging with others in activities and adventure. We are grateful to Nest for providing such a fun social and learning environment for young adults. It’s been a blessing for our family to be a part of Nest.

Andrew’s favorite number is one and his favorite color is yellow. Andrew enjoys being outside and going for a ride in his golf cart around the neighborhood.  Andrew loves anything with wheels.  Andrew likes to go out to eat and going to stores so he can look around.  Andrew’s favorite character is Curious George.  Andrew likes watching football and racing.  Andrew enjoys spending time with his family.  Andrew is funny and loves to be around people.  
 Nest Academy is a great weekly outing for Andrew. He is able to socialize with his peers, which is very important.    The class allows Andrew to participate and use his skills.  I enjoy watching Andrew's face light up when he is having fun and enjoying what he’s doing.   When Andrew wakes up in the morning, he always asks who is coming or where are we going…. Andrew is happy when I tell him “Class at Nest Academy.”

Travis is an energetic young adult who enjoys sports (mainly football, baseball, and NASCAR) and spending time in the community with friends and family.  His outgoing nature is quickly discovered by new acquaintances and he’ll quickly capture your phone number for a subsequent call or text.  Surrounded by family and faith, Travis carves out his own version of normal and has to be reminded of his disability (cerebral palsy) and reliance upon a wheelchair.  Time in the workshop painting or sanding bluebird houses fills any time that’s not already committed by daily interests and outings.  His smartphone is his best friend but he completely understands it’s only a phone and can’t bring lasting relationships that he has come to cherish.  Whether it’s singing Sweet Caroline in the 8th inning of the Red Sox home game, or commiserating with fellow Cowboys fans after losing in the first round of the playoffs, Travis cherishes relationships and engagements such as the many opportunities the Nest Academy of RVA offers.

Greg enjoys learning new things, like guitar playing.  He enjoys being with people and is always eager to make new friends.  Greg also loves to help his brother Jonathan who is also a Nest Academy student.  Since Covid there have not been a lot of opportunities to socialize so we are grateful for Nest's outdoor programming and activities.

Jonathan's winning smile draws people to him.  Even without words he communicates joy.  He has a power pout that is especially effective at getting women drawn to him!  Nest has become so important for socialization since Covid and we are thankful for the outdoor opportunities Nest provides. 

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Evan no longer attends school and has an older brother with the same disability.  Evan loves the color blue and action-packed movies!  His favorite are the Rock and Vin Diesel.  Evan loves cars.  Evan loves when his dad plays the guitar for him, he loves country music.  Evan loves being a part of Nest and being able to be out in the community to socialize with her brother and peers. 

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Joey is a young adult that likes his moustache!  Joey has a  brother with the same disability.  He likes the color red and loves watching football and animal shows.  Joey loves dogs and, in the summer, he loves splashing everyone in the pool!  Joey loves when his dad plays the guitar for him.  Joey loves being a part of Nest and being out in the community and being able to socialize with his brother and peers. 

Cameron loves his iPad and watching TV. He loves being in the water and music.  He enjoys therapeutic horseback riding and being around the horses.  Cameron is very social and enjoys being around people and being able to participate in outings with his friends.  Participating in Nest has allowed Cameron to be around individual his own age while having fun learning and exercising.  Music class is one of Cameron's favorites!

Yvonne is a very happy and social young lady.  Yvonne enjoys going to Nest to see her friends, learn new and interesting things and going out on the Nest field trips.  Yvonne's infectious smile lights up the classroom every day.  

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Jenna is diagnosed with a rare mutation of the TRAPPC9 gene.  Jenna is severely developmentally delayed and non-verbal.  She LOVES to swing, listen to music and watch The Greatest Showman.  She is full of laughs, loves snacks and being around everyone she loves.

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With a smile that says more than words ever could, Jack is a young man living with cerebral palsy. Don't let the wheelchair, feeding tube, or comm device fool you. He's is fully capable of living a great life.  He just needs a little support.

Reagan was one of Nest's founding students who sadly passed away on June 18th at the age of 16.  Reagan's infectious smile is greatly missed by all of her Nest friends.  One of the most memorable things about Reagan was her sense of humor.  She never tired of a good joke, listening to gossip or talking about boy cooties.  Even on her worst day, if someone farted or burped, she'd burst out laughing - and when Reagan started laughing you couldn't help but laugh with her - she had the type of laughter that could make your stress just disappear.  You are so missed sweet Reagan.