During his brief time in this world, Nicholas Calabro made a big difference

Nicholas Calabro pictured with his two rescuers, who reunited after a near-drowning. (Advocate Archive Photo)

Nicholas Calabro pictured with his two rescuers, who reunited after a near-drowning. (Advocate Archive Photo)

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. 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.

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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. 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 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.

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. “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 year-round 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.

When Nicholas died, his parents requested donations to the camp in lieu of flowers. In response, an anonymous donor created a scholarship to fund six weeks of summer camp that year. And again the next year, the same person anonymously funded the Nicholas Calabro Memorial Scholarship. “We have not guessed who it is,” Mike Calabro says. “But I can tell you, we don’t have very many rich friends. This is just an incredible thing.” Schilling and Reed, who know the secret donor, expect the scholarship to continue annually into perpetuity.

“Nicholas touched a lot of lives,” says Schilling, who met the boy years ago while teaching Extended School Year, a service provided by public school districts to individuals with disabilities. “He will always be with us, and this annual scholarship is a renewed reminder of how special Nick is,” Schilling says. Nicholas’ parents read all the scholarship applications each spring and select the recipients. One year, when they could not choose between two finalists, H.E.R.O.E.S. leaders decided to fund a second Nicholas Calabro scholarship for that summer. A charity golf tournament led by Reed each spring raises about $30,000 for additional scholarships. “We do not want anyone to miss out for financial reasons,” Schilling says, and thanks to the scholarships, they do not have to.
Learn more about H.E.R.O.E.S. at heroesdfw.org