Super Kid: Nicolas Acosta

Written by Malika Dudley - mdudley@kgmb9.com

May 01, 2008 07:59 AM

"My name is Nicolas Acosta, I am 12 years old, I go to St. Joseph school in Waipahu and I play the ukulele."

"I didn't know when I was pregnant that Nick was going to be born without an arm. So it wasn't until he came out that I knew. So from that time, you know, we were in shock, we didn't know what to do," says his mother, Kim Acosta. At first, she says, it was difficult... "Kids used to tease him about his arm and it was hard for me as a parent." Nick had to learn how to do the most basic things, with one arm. Shriners even advised them to use a childs mitt, according to his mother, "that would help him to crawl, and it did."

With time though, it became clear that nothing could stop this Super Kid from trying anything and everything. "He doesn't let his disability affect anything he does. Whether it be football, playing soccer, golf, ukulele and that makes me proud of him," says his mother.

What's more, he excels. In sports, he can throw and catch a football better than I can. His grandfather is teaching him to play golf too. "I started in 1995, I still no good... he's good," explains his grandpa.

And of course, the ukulele. He wants to be just like his teacher, Roy Sakuma. They even wrote a song together.. "We call the song swinging nick. Ready nick... let's try a one two three and... " Roy explains why Nick is so special, "When you think of all the adversity that he had to overcome just to learn to play the ukulele, and then to play the ukulele at this level. When you see someone like Nick play its inspirational."

Nick also has inspiring words for his peers, "Even though you have difficultly trying to do something, you should just keep on practicing, and start getting better at it."

Roy helped Nick get better on the ukulele, and Nick returned the favor. After tying for first place at Hawaii Stars Extraordinary Abilities concert, Nick donated his $10,000 prize to his favorite charity, Roy's ukulele festivals. "My childhood was filled with a lot of pain too, and what that brought me was a sensitivity to other people and how to treat other people and to always be kind to other people... and he has that same gift," says Roy.

What about those kids that used to tease him? Now, he dazzles them with his story and talent. "It was so touching because all the kids were just yelling. They were so amazed at Nick's ability to play the ukulele," he says. But Nick doesn't take any credit. His answer? "Its god because without god he wouldn't have given me this ability to play in front of people with one hand and to make them feel happy," says Nick.

"What do you see in this kids future? I ask, his mother answers, "I see fame." Roy sums it up best, "He may not know it but he is an inspiration to many, many people."

Upcoming Shows:
May 2nd: Luncheon for Kauai Marriott Hotel employees
May 3rd: 6th Annual Kauai Ukulele Festival at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center
May 15: Fort Shafter
May 17: Pearlridge Shopping Center at 1:00 pm
May 18: The Music and Books Festival
May 29: Schofield