Since Nicholas Bahl-Moore has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, he and his family had to consider accessibility factors when looking into colleges.
One visit to Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Historic Triangle Campus last summer eased any concerns they might have had. Soon after entering the building, Nicholas and his mother, Liz, were greeted by a custodian who provided a tour of the building and let them test out the rooms.
“He was nice enough to take us to different rooms just to see how his wheelchair and scooter would work, and it was just amazing to have such a friendly staff,” Liz said.
However, it was more than that.
“It was just lovely to have staff even willing to embrace somebody that’s in a wheelchair,” she said. “You’re seeing the person, not the person in the chair, which is really good for us.”
Their experiences since he began classes last fall have been just as welcoming.
“I don’t think he’s had any issues getting in and out. He feels really secure coming in,” Liz said.
She noted with how the building is designed, it’s roomy and easy to navigate. Even going from the parking lot to the front door poses no problems, and the bathrooms are spacious and easy to access.
“To have this kind of resource is really nice,” she said.
The two also have been impressed with what goes on in the classrooms.
“What we’re loving is he can work at his pace,” Liz said. “I just love the idea that he could work with how he feels comfortable so he can be successful and get good grades. … But he’s just loving the experience here.”
Also important is the flexibility of the classes. Most of Nicholas’ classes are in the evening, which is convenient because Liz can drive him to campus since he doesn’t have his driver’s license.
Nicholas is a 2024 graduate of Lafayette High School, where his mother is the Fine Arts curriculum leader and an art teacher. He has earned 11 credits toward his Associate of Science degree in Biology.
“Because of my disease, I was thinking maybe I could be a researcher to help other people like me find cures for their diseases,” he said.
He was diagnosed at age 5 but hasn’t always been in a wheelchair. In December, he moved into his current chair.
“He’s been able to grow up, been able to walk. He was able to do a lot of transfer in high school,” Liz said, referring to his ability to go from his scooter to a wheelchair and vice versa.
She said Nicholas, who has started to lose his mobility, is physically able to walk around. But if he were to do so, he’d be too tired to do anything else. However, he still has full function of his arms and can do a lot of things others can’t. At home, he doesn’t walk much except in their pool.
“For my certain case, I can actually move around some,” he said. “I can get onto (my wheelchair), onto the couch, and into the shower on my own and all that.”
Both are optimistic about his prognosis.
“The nice thing is, just in the last 50 years, Duchenne has made some strides with research and education that things that an 18-year-old couldn’t do just 10 years ago,” Liz said.
It’s turning from an adolescent disease is turning into an adult disease, Liz noted.
“They are living leaps and bounds with over what they used to,” she said.
With that, she feels a responsibility.
“We’re advocating about Duchenne, and learning and understanding it, and making sure people understand that just because a kid’s in a wheelchair does not mean that they can’t do certain things,” she said. “It’s just their body works differently. So, kind of educating (others).”
Which is why he has chosen the major he has.
“He wants to somehow make a little difference in the world,” his mother said.
Nichols doesn’t have a timetable for getting through his classes at VPCC, and he’s not sure where he’s headed next, but Christopher Newport University is a possibility. He’s not in any clubs or activities at VPCC yet but he’s an avid game and is interested in esports. He was on an esports team in high school, participating in Rocket League and Super Smash Bros.
Liz calls VPCC a “hidden gem” and highly recommends it to her students and others.
“If there’s a student that’s on the fence about what to do, take a (of) couple classes over here, get your feet wet, see what you want to do before you commit to a large university,” she said, adding she might take some classes at VPCC. “I know a lot of people are nervous, like, ‘What do I do next?’ I just felt like we didn’t have that worry. I didn’t worry about his future because I knew we had this opportunity here in town.”
That goes for those with physical challenges also.
“They’re not going have a problem,” she said.
Nicholas agrees.
“This was the best start for me,” he said.