Michelle misses her son Nathan every second of every day.
“Nathan was empathetic, loving, smart, funny, strong-willed, and determined,” said Michelle. “He loved listening to music and going for long car rides, and he built special bonds with everyone around him. He overcame countless obstacles. Nathan proved time and again that individuals with disabilities—even multiple disabilities—have unique and amazing personalities and make the world a better place.”
Nathan passed away in 2022 at the age of 18. In the last year of his life, DePaul’s Sponsored Residential program provided support to the family, allowing them to spend more quality time together—something Michelle will always be grateful for.
“It’s comforting to know that he spent his final months doing exactly what he loved every single day,” said Michelle.
In the early days after Nathan’s passing, the loss felt insurmountable. How could Michelle, her husband Mike, and her son Joshua move forward without their “Nater Gator?” But Michelle and her family knew Nathan would want them to find healing and happiness, so they did. They took time to grieve, leaned on their family and friends for support, and made a commitment to preserving Nathan’s legacy and continuing his impact on the community.
“We were fortunate to have excellent educators and therapists serving our son, and we want others like him to have the same opportunities to realize their potential,” said Michelle. “This is why we created the Nathaniel G. Hughes Memorial Scholarship for students seeking a career in a special education-related field.”
Along with the scholarship, the family felt called to open their hearts and home to an individual with disabilities in need.
“It took two years of healing through our grief, but the entire time we knew the end goal would be to accept someone into our family and provide support,” said Michelle. “When we decided it was time to move forward, DePaul’s staff was supportive and helpful, carefully listening to what we hoped for and what our needs were as a family.”
The family is now caring for a 15-year-old young man with multiple disabilities, including autism and ADHD. Every day, they work hard to provide a loving, supportive environment where he can grow and thrive. They face challenges, but they are learning to adapt and adjust together.
“We have strong faith and believe that Nathan might have had a hand in this placement,” said Michelle. “I hope he would be proud that his ‘MomMommy’ and ‘DadDay’ are utilizing the lessons he taught us about unconditional love and service for others. I imagine Nathan’s beautiful face smiling down on us with approval and love.”
*Photos by Lady B Photography
