Bryan & Amanda

Amanda Miller, 24, is a fourth-year nursing student at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y., working toward her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. To gain hands-on experience, she became a direct support aide for Heritage Christian Services, an agency that provides daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In the fall of 2022, Amanda was paired with Bryan Newhouse, 43, who lives with cerebral palsy. The two quickly developed a friendship that goes beyond the typical dynamic between aide and client. Bryan’s family recently relocated permanently to Florida, while he chose to remain in Rochester full time, where Amanda has become a key presence in his day-to-day life. She spends several days a week with him, completing tasks side by side and participating in activities that help him maintain a balanced lifestyle.