I first met Nicky when he was a child. A tiny boy, blind in one eye, the other eye crossed, it was difficult to tell whether or not he was looking at you when you spoke to him. Being extremely small and with his eye issues it was not surprising to find out that he was picked on a lot at school. His mother had brought him to my Karate School with the hopes that the martial arts would build his self-confidence and give him the courage he would need to face life’s obstacles.
A hard worker, Nicky took his training seriously and eventually earned his Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo. To make up for some of his learning disabilities, he taught himself how to do every martial arts form and defensive maneuver both left and right handed and could move back and forth between left and right sides interchangeably with ease all while only seeing out of one eye. As time went on, Nicky would achieve a Second Degree Black Belt for his diligence.
Years ago, when he was a teen, Nicky had been a caregiver to my eldest daughter and had become like a part of our family. Now the years had passed, and Nicky moved from caring for children, to caring full time for his dying mother. Eventually she would pass away and Nicky would be left alone with nothing, no family to help him, no job, and no place to live. Having spent the years caring for her, he was at a loss for where to go or what to do. He was essentially homeless on the streets alone.
Nicky rides a bike because he cannot see well enough to qualify for a driver’s license. He is independently minded and wants to be able to go places no matter how far, even though he rides a bike wherever he may go. Because he is blind in one eye, and has limited vision in the other, he is a greater risk than most sighted bike riders, and has already been hit by a car twice. All his worldly possessions he carries around in a backpack and most recently on a small child’s bike trailer that he pulls behind his bike. A week ago this bike and trailer he bought with his own money was stolen and everything he had down to his clothes were suddenly gone.
We have a caring community of people around that know and care about our friend Nicky. Many have asked how they might help him out. We have a space for an RV next to our home where we could install a small trailer with lights, plumbing and a safe place for Nicky to put his belongings… a little home of his own, on our property, but a space he can really call his own. He is very excited about the prospect of being next to us, but having he dignity of his own personal dwelling space, where he does not have to worry about being homeless ever again.
Your generous donation will help make Nicky’s dream of a safe and personal space a reality… his own little trailer home. Please consider donating to help Nicky have a brighter future with the security and dignity he deserves. Thank you for your help.