Meet Diego!

Diego was born in Puerto Rico in 2001 with a rare genetic metabolic condition. Though he arrived full term, he weighed just over four pounds. As he grew, Diego missed developmental milestones and faced challenge after challenge.

During his kindergarten year in Puerto Rico, Diego attended four different schools, yet none were able to meet his unique needs. Although his parents had established careers and a stable home, they made the courageous decision to leave everything behind and move to the United States in search of better educational support for their son. Doctors in Miami helped by identifying and evaluating Diego’s areas of need, and schools were better equipped to serve him—but even then, Mom and Dad felt Diego was placed in classrooms that did not truly stimulate or challenge him to reach his full potential.



Now bilingual, you would never guess that Diego remained nonverbal until the age of seven. He never learned to read or write but he possesses an incredible memory. Although he accomplished so much, for many years, he struggled to connect meaningfully with the world around him. His family recalls car rides where Diego wouldn’t even look out the window—he seemed withdrawn, distant, and uncertain about engaging with his surroundings. 

When Diego joined The Next Stop in 2022, their supportive environment nurtured a new growth in his engagement and motivation to connect with others. Today, the confident young man we see is a remarkable contrast to the quiet, inward child of years past. He comes through the doors talking up a storm. While most of his initiated conversations revolve around the movies he loves or favorite places he enjoys visiting, he shares them with confidence and enthusiasm. Diego is also more open to trying new things, shows improved focus and endurance during his afternoon at The Next Stop, and remains actively engaged in group activities with minimal guidance or redirection.

His mom reports that sometimes, when he’s with family friends, Diego is so eager to be part of the group conversation that he may even embellish a detail or two—just so he can add his “two cents” to the discussion. Others in Diego’s family have commented on how much he has matured. It’s a beautiful reflection of how far he has come: from a child who barely looked out the car window to a young man who is eager to connect and be heard.

Diego’s mom and dad credit The Next Stop with this remarkable progress. Through a supported social community, meaningful and stimulating opportunities to learn, and new experiences designed to encourage growth, they believe Diego is finally reaching toward the true potential they have always known was there.

Stories like Diego’s are why The Next Stop exists. With an encouraging environment, dedicated staff, and intentional social programming, adults with special needs are given the opportunity not just to participate—but to truly grow.

Your support allows opportunities for continued growth and life-changing moments for Diego (and his family) and many others like them.

Every gift directly helps to create the connections, confidence, and community

 that make stories of transformation possible.

Thank you for considering a gift to The Next Stop.

The Next Stop is a 501 © 3 nonprofit organization.

Your gift is fully tax deductible.