By Nicole Chavira, July 11, 2023
It all began with my curious toddler and their fascination of vehicles. Not just trucks and race cars, I’m talking an obsession with memorizing every make, year and model of all the cars we would walk past on our daily stroll. As a first-time mother, I thought I just had the smartest kid on the block! Eventually that cool and challenging personality was diagnosed with ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. For all that may not know, Aspergers is a high functioning form of Autism. (This neurodevelopmental condition has since been removed from the DSM-5 in 2013, but it’s still a perfect description of my first-born baby, so I continue to reference the term to this day).
Quickly after this diagnosis, I went to work by gathering as much information as I could. As a single parent, I was afraid and also relieved to have answers! The more I could learn how to parent my precious child, the better I could advocate for them. Which is what I have been doing ever since.
It was rough. I’m not going to sugar coat it. Lots of tears and meltdowns. It took time to get the best fitting doctors, best fitting medication, battles with preschool, childcare, insurance, and so on. So, as we entered kindergarten, in the city of Milwaukie, at Seth Lewelling Elementary, I walked in with my super mom cape on and ready for a new year of battles. I had a new baby on my hip and my bubbly 5-year-old holding my other hand. As we entered the public school system, I knew I needed to be front and center with all the educators and staff to be sure they knew how to work with my child and, almost more importantly, knew that I was going to be on their team.
I’ll be honest, I was prepared for discrimination, misunderstanding, judgment and stress of my special needs kiddo. I was also going through a nasty divorce and figured I was going to be a total hot mess of a momma that first year. I still made sure to bring my baby in with positivity and held my chin up every day. Then I got the first phone call from the school. It was about my wild child running through the field with one shoe on and needing to be chased down and returned to the principal’s office. It’s hilarious to me now, but at the time, my heart stopped. I thought this was one of many incidences to come. Instead, I was comforted that my child was unharmed and well. I was relieved by the tone I was receiving. From then on, they became our added resource and support. Through the North Clackamas School District, we were able to start an Individual Education Program (IEP). Our support grew through local mental health systems, such as, Western Psychological Services and Trillium Family Services.
Today, as a proud parent of an ADHD, high-functioning Autistic and transgender child, I accept love and understand individuals of all types. I always say how grateful I am to be in a generation of understanding and acceptance so my child, and so many others, do not have to suffer being labeled “a bad kid”. The generations before were not as fortunate. While we still work through endless misunderstandings and misconceptions, we have mainly been given love and support. My mission is to keep sharing the knowledge so we can help others continue to embrace our individualistic loved ones and their amazing abilities!
Now you may ask, hang on, how did I stumble upon such a personal blog on a real estate website?
The willingness to indulge in such vulnerability of my family’s journey was from the loving encouragement from Jenelle Etzel, founder of Living Room Realty. My job isn’t so much about selling real estate as it is helping people find the right set of circumstances including community, services, school information, special needs support and access to opportunity for their complex lives. They are coming to us to help them improve their lives and navigate their challenges, not just sell them a house.
Together we can build on the community that supports our unique children. I would be honored to be your resource and guide.
Nicole Chavira
Broker | OR
She/Her
- Nicole is a proud Portland native. She went to south east Portland public schools and moved over 40 times in and around surrounding cities, gaining true knowledge over the years of growth and what our communities have to offer. While graduating with a business degree from Portland Community College as a single mom of two young children she stumbled upon the world of Real Estate as a Transaction Coordinator for some of the highest producing Realtors in the state of Oregon. With that wealth of knowledge and encouragement Nicole decided she was going to be the BIPOC Realtor who builds relationships well past the transaction.
- Nicole’s guidance and stellar communication shows her dedication to assisting people through what is typically their largest investment. She provides support, education, relentless hard work with the goal of giving the most stress free experience for her clients. She’s a problem solver and a solid negotiator with now 10 years of Real Estate experience.
- Nicole is raising her two children to be loving, accepting and self sufficient citizens of society while putting family first. When Nicole is not working she enjoys quality time with loved ones, experiencing new social events, advocating for mental health and equality/equity, supporting local non-profit organizations and small business, trips to the Oregon coast and her ultimate release of music and dance.
- T: 503-412-9759
- nicole@livingroomre.com
