Nick Harmon is a 19-year-old self-advocate who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who is taking college classes at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). Last year, Abbie Kraemer, a friend and schoolmate of Nick’s, conducted an independent study which entailed Abbie shadowing Nick on campus to learn about what makes him successful. The article below conveys some of the insights that Abbie gained through her experiences with Nick. We hope you enjoy "Just Your Typical College Guy," a snapshot into Nick’s successful first year attending college!

And, be sure to check out our interview with Nick himself, as he shares his humor and even some of his poetry.

Just Your Typical College Guy, By Guest Author Abbie Kraemer

He blends into the crowd as just another typical college guy. Cracking open a Coca Cola, he might look a little bit groggy from staying up too late the night before. He’s sure to be “noticing” his female peers as they pass by.

And, you’ll likely see him walking around campus with his friends and fellow classmates, some of whom also provide a little extra support.   This guy's name is Nick Harmon, and he is a 19-year-old Doherty High School graduate currently auditing classes at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). Nick has Down syndrome and with the support of his friends, Morgan and Schyler, Nick is thriving in classes and on campus.

Morgan and Schyler are UCCS students who have been supporting Nick for nearly a year now. They have both declared Special Education as their minor and speak highly of their experiences supporting Nick. Morgan typically accompanies him to his work and volunteer commitments, and Schyler assists him in his classes at UCCS.

Last semester, Nick enrolled in a CSI Forensics course at UCCS, and it turned out to be a passion of his. His keen interest in the class material aided him to excel. Schyler explained his strengths saying, “He really works well with others in group projects.” And, as the semester moved on, she noticed him gaining new skills. “He was able to do a lot more discussion. I mean, how cool is it to go home and watch an episode of CSI and then write about it and get a grade for it,” she said.

Overall, Morgan and Schyler explained that their role in supporting Nick basically adds up to them helping Nick get to class on time, take notes, articulate his thoughtful answers to questions posed in class, and complete tests and projects. Nick is able to receive these supports because of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under its “Secondary Transition” regulation, Nick is eligible for services based on his individual needs and that take into account his personal strengths, preferences and interests.

Schyler explained one accommodation Nick utilized when taking tests and the details of her role. “To prepare for tests, we usually get a study guide from the professor, and we will fill it out together. He gets his book, and we look up the answers together, and I help him write it down. Depending on the professor, we usually bring that study guide into the testing center, and I usually fill in the bubbles for him.”

Nick also audited an American Government class last semester. His professor expressed that his only reservations about having Nick in class were related to his personal ignorance about Down syndrome. Nick’s professor admitted that he was worried Nick might have “outbursts” in class and that he would be unsure of how to handle it. “I wouldn’t want to discipline someone who wasn’t disruptive purposely,” he said. Thankfully, the professor was willing to include Nick in his class, which ended up being a mutually beneficial experience for them both.

The Professor went on to explain how, after getting to know Nick, he learned how to adapt his teaching style when working one-on-one with Nick during class. “I did personally keep it a little more simplistic and asked more straight-forward questions, and then as the semester bore on, I’d get a little more in-depth.” “In other words,” he says, “I wouldn’t ask him about Hegemonic Stability Theory after I’d already explained it, but I’d ask him, for example, ‘Nick, who is in charge of foreign policy’, and he’d answer, ‘the president’, and I’d say, ‘that’s exactly right!’”

With a few semesters of college under his belt, Nick is eager to continue with his classes in the hopes of expanding his knowledge base. When asked about what other areas of college life he’d like to participate in, he quickly mentioned his love for football and his intrigue in “Greek life.” Morgan added in one of her personal favorite memories. “He’s just so friendly! One day the sorority girls were handing out lolli pops and when we walked away, he kept saying ‘oh they’re so hot! I want to be Greek! Go Greek! Go Greek!’ “And that’s what some people don’t get. He’s a college guy.”

Like any typical college guy, Nick talked about his favorite things to do. “Oh, you know, I like hanging out and riding in people’s cars,” he says. Outside of school, he is very involved in the community, volunteers at Remax Properties and a local preschool, helping the kids during playtime and snack time.

One little-known fact about Nick is his fascination with cars and his unbelievable ability to identify their make and model on a moments’ notice. So, if you see Nick on campus, be sure to stop and say hello. And if the time is right, give him a quick quiz on a nearby car. I promise you, he won’t disappoint!

 

Interview with Nick Harmon, September 2011

Where did you grow up?

Nick: I was born in 1992. I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

What are some of your thoughts about Down syndrome?

Nick: It’s okay, it’s fine for me. When I was a baby, some of my friends took a picture of me and I was on an oxygen tank.

I know you are taking college classes, can you tell me a little bit about that?

Nick: College makes me feel excited. All my friends who know me from school are really nice to me. College has nice dorms. College is fine for me. UCCS police are everywhere.

What are your favorite classes and why?

Nick: My favorite class is still Colorado History and Hollywood History of Film. I liked Colorado history because I learned about the current governor and some other interesting western history. I like the Hollywood film class because seeing some of the old movies in the early 1940s and 1970s has been nice. In one film a robber shoots right at the screen which scared people back then. I like history because the history teachers have been nice, and the classes are okay for me.

Do you have a favorite song?

Nick: My favorite band is Phil Collins. One of my favorite songs is “I Like to Move it Move It” from the movie Madagascar. Another favorite band is Bon Jovi. I love the song “You Give Love a Bad Name.” I like listening to different music, it’s nice.

What are word might you use to describe yourself?

Nick: Ummm, Adventurous – in middle school I did track and wrestling by myself. And Big Dreamer, I think.

What are 2 words someone close to you would use to describe you?

Nick: I think hard worker, like my cousin Mark, working in the shop on cars and on houses.

What are some of your interests or hobbies?

Nick: Girls, traveling, hanging out in hotels and attending conferences, cars – especially going to Las Vegas to the Sema Car show (pictured left), and hanging out with my dogs.

Who are you closest to and why?

Nick: Family and relatives in the United States and England. They are funny and silly.

What do you enjoy doing with family and friends?

Nick: Well, we like to go to movies, swim at the pool, cook dinner and just hang out together, stuff like that. Talk about their thoughts and see what they’ve been doing.

What is the most important priority in your life right now?

Nick: I’ve been dreaming about finding a job. I like the idea of an office job or with cars and trucks and equipment.

Thank you for sharing your poem titled “I am…” – can you tell us a little bit about that poem?

Nick: I wrote that poem about myself for my school. Now I share that poem with my friends and at school. I also share it when I speak to places like Sam’s club about disability and stuff.

I am…

Funny, cute, happy

I wonder how to be a cool kid, why it rains, how to be free

I hear music, people, noises

I want hot wheels, wagons, and bikes

I pretend to fly, to be like a cheetah

I feel sad, energized, excited

I touch treasures and clouds

I worry about girls, trucks, Alex

I cry about hurt feelings

I understand how to work hard, how to read, how to be a nice guy

I say trust me, what’s up, Big guy

I dream about cars and trucks

I try to work hard, to stay busy, to hug people

I hope to make people happy, laugh, and people don’t get sick

I am happy.

By Nicholas Harmon, 2006

 

PEAK Parent Center www.peakparent.org - Fall 2011 SPEAKout Newsletter

Copyright 2011 © by PEAK Parent Center, Inc.  All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce may be obtained from PEAK Parent Center.