I’m a 49 yr old skateboarding single mother of Bootsie & Sandler Chase… the only two people, to date, documented with their diagnosis of an unbalanced translocation of chromosomes 2 & 8. Raising two special needs children and having had an extremely exciting life has lead me on the journey of hosting my own podcast; Adult Chicken. Every week I share my unfiltered, honest & hilarious adventures and stories, including navigating life’s unexpected, and air my dirty laundry.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Myself, Nikki, 49, Skateboarding mom of Bootsie, who’s 19 & dog mom to Kevin; & Sandler, who is 15 & lives, eats & breathes skateboarding.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I was a Creative Director in Vail, CO before and when Sandler was born. Sandler has serious health issues and when he was an infant he wasn’t expected to live. I packed three duffle bags, the two kids & we left in the middle of the night. Sandler started thriving and for the last 14 yrs my job has been to keep both my special needs children thriving and beating the odds. After Covid I also became their teacher as they never returned to public school.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
El Matador, Mama D’s, The Chicken Coop & Mutt Lynchs.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Almost 13 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
That’s a tough choice with all of the teachers we have come to know and love. But I would have to say Brandy Richardson.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Elf & any Adam Sandler movie… after all my son is named Sandler for a reason.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Follow Sandler’s advice and wake up saying today is going to be the best day of my life!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Napili Bay, Maui, Hawaii. We’d never been until it was suggested while Sandler was having cranial facial reconstructive surgery. It exceeded my idea of a happy place. It is our happy place away from NB.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Adam Sandler or Tony Hawk anywhere they’d want to have lunch.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
“The Village & Family” it has given us. I’ve lived in several states and many towns and I have never in my entire life felt so supported and connected by more wonderful humans. The three of us literally have no family but feel richer in love and support than I ever imagined possible!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope to live in the exact same home with my kids as they thrive, skateboard, share my shenanigans on Adult Chicken & visit with our NB village.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Well I’ve told most of my secrets to the universe on through the podcast… but I don’t think a lot of people know about my dreams and aspirations of one day buying a van and touring the country to public speak and share our story with the universe. Also stopping by all the skateparks along the way and returning home at the end of each tour with a new found appreciation for home!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Our quality of life here with this community! We showed up in Newport with no money, food stamps & state assistance. Lived in a studio without a car for 6 years & no matter what we have gone through and gone without, the community has made each day a 10 out of 10.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Bootsie and Sandler Chase.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
New Port Beach
