In her early 20s, Nina struggled to find her footing as an independent young adult. She had ambitious dreams, but she also faced setbacks—including unresolved trauma and mental health issues that led her to leave high school early. As the years passed, her motivation to go back was fading.

“I was living on my own in Florida, and I didn’t have a community,” said Nina, who is originally from Connecticut. “But I always knew I wanted to get my diploma. I wanted better opportunities.”

That’s when Nina’s mother connected her with Ability Beyond, back up north. Even though Nina wasn’t local, our team listened to her story, developed a support plan, and helped the young woman relocate into one of our supported residential programs, with other people her age.

Today—less than a year later—Nina is wrapping up exams for her high school diploma, job hunting, and planning to enroll at Tunxis Community College to study mental health counseling.

“There have been times I felt down, like I wouldn’t get out of the situation I was in,” Nina said. “But my staff at Ability Beyond see my potential. They’ve inspired me to keep going.”

Moving On Up

The first time Nina met her staff, it was over a video call as her future residence was undergoing renovations.

“Even in that setting, I could tell right away that she had goals and ambitions,” said Nicole Goodman, Assistant Residential Program Manager. “She knew what she wanted. Our job was to take that energy and run with it.”

While Nina waited for her room in Connecticut to be ready, she video chatted weekly with Nicole and her team, including a clinician and behavioral health specialist. And when Nina finally landed at Bradley International Airport, Nicole and her team were there waiting with balloons.

“We had lunch together and solidified that connection we had been building,” Nicole said.
“It was so important for us to welcome her that way.”

Hitting The Books

Nina hit the ground running at Ability Beyond, requesting her high school transcripts and enrolling in night school—all while healing from past traumas and learning to care for herself. Along the way, she established herself as “involved and independent,” said Krystle Gaudiosi.

“When she has appointments, she wants to know about them or set them up herself,” Krystle said.

Assistant Residential Program Manager Nicole said that Nina’s independence not only inspires her, but has shaped the way that staff provide individualized support.

“Our goal was to keep her on track,” Nicole said. “It was a balance of giving her space to do her thing, and checking in and encouraging her—reminding her that she has the power to accomplish her goals.”

Week by week, she did just that, attending in-person prep classes to strengthen her math skills; qualifying through exams to enroll in the National External Diploma Program; completing eight rigorous classes; and eventually taking her finals in math, reading, and writing. It paid off: by September 2024, Nina will have completed the program. She is set to receive her diploma in June 2025.

“On my math final, I had to retest, but the second time, I passed,” Nina said. “On reading you need a 235. I got a 241. I felt proud of that.”

Nina has also participated in Discover, Learn, Work at Ability Beyond, an inclusive, community-based career training program. Her resume already includes restaurant service, Quickbooks management, and clerking for a Florida public defender’s office. Now she is putting all her skills together to seek work as she prepares for another goal on the horizon: earning a college degree.

The Next Chapter

Nina knows hard times. She also knows success and joy. Because of the path she has traveled—through hard work, self-compassion, and a loving, supportive community—she wants to pay it forward by becoming a counselor one day.

“I see other people in my generation struggling with mental health issues. I know what it’s like, and I want to help them find their voice,” Nina said. “I would say to them, ‘You’re not alone. People care about you, even if you don’t think they do. You have a voice, and you can express yourself without fear. Going through emotions doesn’t make you weak. It can actually make you stronger, I believe, through how you deal with them.”

Take Action

Nina is one of more than 3,000 individuals with disabilities that we help each year lead fulfilling lives. Learn more what you can do today to help others like Nina and our mission to discover, build and celebrate the ability in all people.