Beverly Teen Honored With White Cane Awareness Day Award

BEVERLY, MA — A remarkable Beverly teen who was declared legally blind at 3 years old and is a kidney transplant survivor was honored with the declaration of Nikolas Hourican Day in the city after he was named the recipient of the Meg Robertson Mobility Award for his accomplishments.

Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill declared Oct. 13 at Nikolas Hourican Day and he was celebrated at last week's City Council meeting.

The high school junior was the youth recipient of the award as part of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind's White Cane Awareness Day. He was presented the award at a State House ceremony.

"This award is only awarded to two people in the state — one adult and one child — so that is even more significant that he is awarded this," City Councilor Todd Rotundo said during the Council proclamation.

Hourican has a rare genetic disorder that causes eye and kidney disease. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney disease and received a transplant in 2021. He incorporates the cane into his daily life even though he does maintain a limited amount of central vision.

With the help of his cane, Hourican has learned to navigate public transportation, worked at a part-time retail job this past summer is self-taught in computer coding, and is certified to repair Apple and PC products.

Hourican also hosts presentations for his peers on his condition and visual impairment.

"Nikolas and his family have inspired our community and his advocacy has and will continue to influence mobility efforts in the city of Beverly," Cahill said in the city proclamation.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)