Meet Mighty Nicholas

Born earlier than expected, Nicholas’s journey has taught his family about resilience, the power of support, and the importance of finding beauty in every step along the way.

For Shacobi, pregnancy with Nicholas was largely uneventful. She remained active, continued working as a bedside registered nurse, and enjoyed a healthy pregnancy with no indication that anything was out of the ordinary. Then, on a Friday evening, everything changed. Shacobi unexpectedly went into preterm labor and was admitted to the hospital, where the medical team worked to delay delivery. Despite their efforts, Nicholas had other plans.

On Monday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m., Nicholas made his entrance into the world at just 32 weeks gestation. His family still smiles at the special timing of his arrival: born on 6/30 at exactly 6:30.

Because Nicholas was breech and the umbilical cord was positioned in a way that raised concerns, doctors delivered him by C-section.

Shacobi remembers being overcome with emotion as her son entered the world. He was peaceful, with his tiny eyes closed, and it took several seconds before he let out his first cry. The medical team gently swaddled him in a blanket, placed a little hat on his head, and brought him to Shacobi's side so she could meet him. She leaned over and kissed his sweet face, cherishing those first brief moments together.

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hortly afterward, Nicholas was taken to the NICU for specialized care. Shacobi had hoped to reunite with her newborn quickly, but unexpected postpartum complications required multiple blood transfusions and another trip to the operating room. She would not be able to see Nicholas again for a couple of days.

“When I finally saw him again, I remember being completely in awe,” she said. “As I looked at my precious little boy, I couldn't help but marvel at how perfect he was. It almost felt surreal that this beautiful little baby belonged to me.”

A Mother's Unexpected Challenge

Although Nicholas arrived early, he was fortunate to breathe independently and did not need supplemental oxygen. He spent time in an incubator to help regulate his body temperature and received IV fluids and nutritional support as he grew stronger.

While Nicholas received care in the NICU, Shacobi faced a medical emergency of her own.

The postpartum complications following her C-section were serious and required multiple blood transfusions and an exploratory procedure to identify and stop the bleeding. Having just welcomed her baby into the world, she suddenly found herself facing an uncertain medical situation.

“I remember being absolutely devastated when I received that news,” she said. “I had just welcomed this beautiful new baby into the world, and suddenly I was facing so much uncertainty about my own health.”

During those first days, her husband and mother became her greatest sources of comfort. Her husband remained at the hospital, visiting Nicholas and sharing pictures and videos with Shacobi while she recovered. Her mother helped manage things at home, allowing the family to focus on getting through an incredibly difficult time.

Even though she couldn't physically be with Nicholas, those pictures and videos helped her feel connected to her little boy.

Nicholas's NICU stay lasted just seven days. The family was grateful to bring him home, although the transition came with its own worries. Because of his prematurity, Shacobi was instructed to supplement his breastfeeding with a special formula mixture to support his growth and nutritional needs. Like many new parents, she wanted to make sure she was doing everything right. As the family settled into a routine, those early anxieties gradually faded, and Shacobi grew more confident in caring for her son.

Finding the Right Support

For the first two years of Nicholas's life, Shacobi had no reason to suspect developmental concerns. He was a happy, playful little boy who smiled, laughed, and enjoyed interacting with those around him. It wasn't until he was approximately two and a half that someone first mentioned the possibility of autism.

During a storytime visit at their local library, the storyteller approached Shacobi after noticing some behaviors that reminded her of her own son, who was an adult living with autism. She gently suggested that Shacobi speak with Nicholas's pediatrician about having him screened.

That brief conversation opened the door to a new chapter in their family's journey.

After speaking with his pediatrician, Nicholas was referred to the county's early intervention program, where he began receiving speech and occupational therapy in their home. Several months later, a developmental pediatrician formally diagnosed Nicholas with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Level 3.

As he grew, Nicholas transitioned into a preschool program through the local school system and began additional therapies, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Over the years, he has participated in speech, occupational, physical, and ABA therapy through both school-based and private providers.

Navigating services has required persistence. Finding the right providers, coordinating schedules, and identifying programs that meet Nicholas's needs have all been part of the process.

Each therapy has offered something valuable. Speech and occupational therapy helped establish important foundations for communication, daily living, and developmental skills. ABA therapy provided Shacobi with practical tools, including visual schedules and structured routines, that continue to help Nicholas understand and navigate his day.

In recent years, two activities have been especially meaningful: music therapy and therapeutic horseback riding.

Music therapy has given Nicholas a fun and engaging way to express himself and interact with others. He enjoys listening to music, exploring instruments, vocalizing, and participating in call-and-response activities. Shacobi has seen encouraging improvements in his ability to follow directions and engage with his therapist.

For a child who experiences significant communication challenges, those moments of connection are especially meaningful.

Shacobi has learned that progress doesn't always come in big, noticeable leaps. Sometimes the smallest achievements are the ones that mean the most.

“Every therapy, every experience, and every new skill has been part of Nicholas's journey, and I'm grateful for the opportunities that have helped him grow into the young boy he is today.”

How Bee Mighty Became Part of Their Story

Shacobi first learned about Bee Mighty through one of Nicholas's former speech therapists. At the time, the therapist's services were not covered by insurance, and she introduced Shacobi to the possibility of applying for grants to help cover therapies that insurance did not cover or only partially covered. Until then, Shacobi hadn't realized these financial resources were available. Discovering Bee Mighty opened the

Discovering Bee Mighty opened the door to exploring additional grant opportunities and finding ways to continue providing Nicholas with valuable therapeutic services.

The experience also inspired Shacobi to share what she learned with other parents navigating similar challenges. She understands firsthand how overwhelming it can be to find and fund the right services for a child, and she now appreciates the opportunity to pass along helpful information to other families.

“I'm grateful for organizations like Bee Mighty that help make these valuable therapeutic opportunities more accessible to children and families in our community,” she says.

For families like Nicholas's, access to therapies and opportunities beyond what insurance covers can make a meaningful difference. Bee Mighty is proud to help families pursue resources that support their children's development, growth, and quality of life beyond the NICU.

Daily Life Now

Today, Nicholas thrives with a daily routine that provides structure while allowing plenty of time for the things he loves. He is homeschooled and attends a small co-op specializing in educational support for children with learning differences. Tuesday through Friday, he spends approximately five hours a day at the co-op receiving individualized instruction in a supportive environment. At home, his days include practicing daily living skills, spending time with family, and enjoying his favorite activities.

Nicholas loves listening to music, working on puzzles, riding his bike, swimming, going for walks, and spending time outdoors. One of his absolute favorite places is the beach. Being near the ocean brings him so much happiness that his family affectionately calls him their little “beach bum!”

Music therapy and therapeutic horseback riding are also regular parts of his week, providing opportunities to learn, engage, and have fun. On weekends, the family enjoys slowing down, going on outings, and spending quality time together. Nicholas especially loves occasional sleepovers with his cousins, whom he absolutely adores.

Shacobi says that finding a rhythm that works for their family has taken planning, flexibility, and patience. More than anything, she wants Nicholas to have opportunities to learn, experience new things, build meaningful connections, and enjoy the simple pleasures that make him happy.

Learning to Embrace the Journey

Looking back, Shacobi says one of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of balance. After Nicholas's autism diagnosis, she became determined to find ways to improve his developmental outcomes. She came to understand that every child's developmental journey is unique. She recognizes that supporting a child's well-being is about more than pursuing developmental milestones. It means making room for happiness, connection, and the experiences that bring a child joy.

“It's so easy to become consumed with appointments, therapies, research, and the constant desire to do more that you forget to pause and enjoy the beautiful moments happening right in front of you,” she said.

Today, Shacobi is learning to redefine what success looks like for Nicholas and their family. It may not necessarily mean complete independence. It may mean learning a new skill, sharing a meaningful interaction with a family member or friend, or simply experiencing happiness in an everyday moment. Sometimes, she finds herself watching Nicholas as he sleeps, allowing herself to set aside worries about the future and appreciate the joy he has brought into her life simply by being her son. Her advice to other parents is simple: slow down, give yourself grace, and remember to enjoy the journey.

“Despite the challenges we've faced along the way, there is still so much beauty in our journey together.”