From Cancer Survivor to Disability Advocate

At Donka, we believe that the people who walk through our doors—whether students or staff—carry with them stories that shape our mission in powerful ways. We are thrilled to welcome Nicholas “Nick” Craun to our team as an intern this year. Working alongside Job Placement Specialist Carlos Johnson, Nick brings passion, resilience, and lived experience that make him an incredible addition to our organization.

Nick’s journey has been anything but easy—but it is one that fuels his purpose. In 2020, Nick was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor that halted his short-term plans. “Chemo took a lot out of me energy-wise, and I wasn’t motivated at first,” he shares. “But once I made it through recovery and entered remission, I realized I wanted to give back—to help others the way people helped me.” That realization led him to change his college major from Computer Science to Rehabilitation Counseling.

Nick obtained an associate degree from Community College of Lake County (CLC) in Laser Photonics and Optics (LPO), and his B.S. from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Disability Rehabilitation Services. Now a Graduate student at NIU, Nick’s path is deeply rooted in service, advocacy, and leadership as he is active in nearly every corner of NIU life. From climbing up the ranks to Vice President of his fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, to working at the Disability Resource Center (DRC) and leading the Rehabilitation Counseling Student Association (RCSA), Nick is devoted to this field—driven by a genuine desire to make a tangible difference and help people reach their full potential. Nick also shows support by regularly attending various sporting events at NIU to cheer on his peers because he understands the importance of community and encouragement.

When asked what inclusion and accessibility mean to him for empowering people with disabilities, he says, “Inclusion means providing the same opportunities to everyone despite their disability. Accessibility is making sure they have the tools and training they need to compete at the same level. It’s about giving everyone a fair shot.”

Nick’s enthusiasm for Donka stems from his passion for Assistive Technology (AT) and a deep belief in human potential. “What excites me most is seeing how different people adapt to challenges,” he says. “Often times, people with disabilities feel like they have limited options. I want to break those barriers and give people hope and confidence to encourage them to chase every opportunity.”

Since joining Donka, Nick has already met with several clients and is eager to dive deeper into the job placement process. “I want to learn all the intricacies of the process as there’s so much that goes into helping someone find meaningful work,” he explains. “I always aim high, so I’d love to see at least half of the clients I work with gain employment during my time here.”

Nick also hopes to challenge common misconceptions about disability, especially invisible disabilities. “People are always surprised to learn that I have a disability. But disability doesn’t always look the way people expect it to.”

Nick describes his NIU experience in three powerful words: Leadership. Opportunities. Growth. These qualities shine through in everything he does—and we can already see the impact he will have here at Donka.

“I don’t know exactly where my path will take me yet,” Nick admits, “but I know I want to help people with disabilities pursue their dreams. I want to be the person who’s there for someone—just like people were there for me.”

Nick’s story is one of perseverance, heart, and hope—and we are proud to have him join the Donka family, as we continue our mission to break barriers and create opportunities for people with disabilities.