2024 Nashville Believe Walk

We are the Nagy family, originally from Indiana, and we have lived in Nashville for the last 10 years. Our son Reid was diagnosed with Dup15q Syndrome in July 2021. He was 2.5 years old, and we finally had an answer after about a year of knowing that something wasn’t quite right. The genetic test results came back when our daughter Lena was a newborn, so it was a topsy-turvy time in our life. The diagnosis is associated with intellectual disability, autism, global developmental delay, and epilepsy (thankfully, Reid is seizure-free for now). Finally, we had an explanation for all the things we were seeing in Reid.

We were thankful to have answers and be able to help our son move forward. It also helped in our expectations of his life and ours. It is difficult to process a special needs diagnosis. You never think it is going to happen to you. When you picture your life with kids and a family, you never imagine it including a child of profound needs. The poem “Welcome to Holland” gives a poignant description of this journey.

Reid has opened our eyes to a world that we didn’t think much about. He has given us the gift of perspective. And most importantly he has given us love, snuggles, and the realization that a person’s worth is far beyond what they can do or accomplish in their life. Few are given such a gift. And while there are still difficult moments and grief for how we thought we’d live, we are learning to truly cherish the life we have. When we first got the diagnosis, Kelly’s Dad said that sometimes in life we are dealt hands we don’t expect. He’s right. We certainly didn’t expect this. But now our motivation is to play the hand to the best of our ability.

We have felt very lucky to be in Nashville while this chapter of our life unfolds. Reid has received incredible care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, from his pediatrician, and from his whole team of therapists. This part of Tennessee has a robust special needs community, but you may not know it unless you are looking! We are lucky to have every therapy under the sun and some even more special things like Rock the Spectrum play gym, Move Inclusive Dance Studio, and the Nashville Dolphins (special needs swim team).

Reid continues to be a sweet, snuggly little boy who adores water, his family, music, and cars. He has made incredible progress in the areas he struggles with (communication, coordination/strength, and behavior). We can’t wait to watch him grow into the boy he is meant to be. And we’re so incredibly lucky to have sweet Reid in our lives.

Kelly, Adam, Reid, & Lena