More than that, I admire him.”. "Amazing! In addition to Nicholas, Al and Deborah are also parents to a daughter Leila, 20. "It’s not something Deborah or I would have expected... Nick is focused, dignified, reverent, the brass cross shimmering in the candlelight. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights Courtney Roker is Roker's daughter with his ex-wife, Alice Bell. "Do I get frustrated with my son sometimes? Roker's Today co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Dylan Dreyer, Carson Daly, Willie Geist and Natalie Morales were among those to congratulate Courtney Roker and Laga in the comments of his post. Read More "Nick is a hard worker; he’s got a great sense of humor; he’s outgoing and a good swimmer; he’s developing a pretty good top-of-the-key basketball shot,” the 65-year-old shared. 31,519, This story has been shared 20,481 times. Al Roker and his wife Deborah Roberts have finally revealed the developmental challenges their 15-year-old son Nicholas has faced. There's little doubt that America's favorite meteorologist is Al Roker, who, over the course of his distinguished career has become a major face on morning television. Laga proposed with a Paris-themed date night at home after the couple's trip to France was canceled following the COVID-19 outbreak. “The obstacles in this kid’s way were things that might have tripped up many others,” he wrote. © 2020 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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At 3, he hardly talked and could barely walk.”, But with the help of speech, behavior and occupational therapists, Nick has flourished and now enjoys a full life that includes swimming, basketball and church, where he’s found “his place in the world.”, “Nick is a hard worker; he’s got a great sense of humor; he’s outgoing and a good swimmer; he’s developing a pretty good top-of-the-key basketball shot,” Roker expressed. "I said yes to my best friend last night and I am over the moon! “Where his OCD nature can be a drawback in some situations, it was a strength here. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 35,375, This story has been shared 31,519 times. In a previous interview with Guideposts magazine, he revealed that his son is "somewhere on the spectrum and maybe obsessive-compulsive," and that he's incredibly proud of the young man he is. Nick was born in July 2002 and Roker and Roberts soon noticed their son wasn’t developing at the same rate as other babies. Yes, Al Roker has a son with special needs. “He takes chess lessons a couple times a week, and he does okay. Al Roker is on television every weekday thanks to his stint on Today, so it's no surprise that details of his personal life are often in question. In particular, viewers are wondering what the journalist's life is like behind closed doors. He’s also very affectionate — like his grandfather — and full of love to share.”, #happynewyear to all and here’s to a terrific #2020, A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker) on Dec 31, 2019 at 9:52pm PST. Congrats to @ouichefcourtney and it's so nice to have good news during this time," Morales said. ‘The Undoing’ on HBO: Who Plays Elena, the Mysterious Woman in Episode 1? Your Ad Choices "You must be proud of your son,’ someone will say. “Not Nick, not even with the disabilities he was born with.”. Al admitted he and Deborah were apprehensive about letting their son partake in certain activities, but he flourished. Instead, Wes brought Paris to me with the music, lights and live cam shot of the Eiffel Tower on our TV," Courtney Roker wrote. Roker and Roberts are proud of Nick for overcoming so much. Al Roker Was Given the Morning off Over Coronavirus Concerns, Savannah Guthrie's Salary Is Quite Impressive — Inside the 'Today' Star's Net Worth, Who Is Savannah Guthrie's Husband? It's not Kazakh... Ariana DeBose Already Had a Tony Nomination Under Her Belt Before 'The Prom'. “We knew right from the beginning that he would be up against a whole different set of challenges,” the TV personality shared. "Could not be more thrilled for these two.". “Nick blossomed, far more than Deborah or I could have ever expected, given his original iffy prognosis,” he said. Roker, 65, took to Instagram Sunday after Courtney Roker, 32, got engaged to her boyfriend, Wesley Laga, while self-isolating amid the coronavirus pandemic. Courtney Roker had shared the news on her own account Saturday. I love you," she said. 37,174, This story has been shared 35,375 times. Roker re-posted a collage of photos that show Courtney Roker showing off her engagement ring and posing with Laga. "Life sometimes takes you in a different direction for a reason. The 17-year-old has thrived over the years, Roker, 64, shared in a first-person story with Guideposts magazine. Al Roker and his wife, Deborah Roberts, are beyond proud of their son, Nick, who has special needs. Privacy Notice Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Yes, Al Roker has a son with special needs. Thanks for contacting us. #shesaidyes," he captioned the post. Yes, I am. Is he a family man? And he proved to be very competitive. Copyright © 2020 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Meet Michael Feldman, A Former Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader Is Now Starring in Lifetime Christmas Movies, 'Christmas on Ice' Features the Perfect Holiday Setting for a Good Reason. Al Roker and his wife, Deborah Roberts, are beyond proud of their son, Nick, who has special needs.. “He wasn’t developing as fast as he should have, not holding our fingers as tightly, not always meeting our gaze, not as quick to crawl. 20,481, © 2020 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved Al also has a daughter named Courtney, whom he adopted when he was married to Alice Bell from 1984 until 1994. Sitemap A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker) on Apr 21, 2019 at 9:41am PDT, Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner love to cosplay, This story has been shared 37,174 times. He and his wife, ABC journalist Deborah Roberts, who married in 1994, welcomed their youngest, 17-year-old Nicholas Albert Roker, on July 18, 2002. Is he a husband? Nick never got that message.”, Although Al says he and Deborah "knew right from the beginning that he would be up against a whole different set of challenges," Nick is still passionate about his many hobbies. We've received your submission. Roker, who co-anchors “Today,” said of Nick, “He’s somewhere on the spectrum and maybe obsessive-compulsive. Al wrote that Nick, who is the youngest of Al’s three children, is “somewhere on the (autism) and maybe obsessive-compulsive.” “But then I remember my dad, how understanding he was. April 13 (UPI) -- Today weather anchor Al Roker is celebrating his daughter Courtney Roker's engagement. But those labels can be frustrating; they don’t begin to describe who Nick really is.”. Iggy Azalea shares photos of son Onyx, confirms split from Playboi Carti, Bruce Springsteen calls John Prine a 'A national treasure' on 'Late Show', 'The Midnight Sky': George Clooney is alone in the Arctic in first teaser, Fortune Feimster marries Jacquelyn Smith in Malibu, Monica Aldama gets the boot on 'Dancing with the Stars'. Roker has two other children, daughter Leila, 21, and son Nicholas, 17, with his wife, Deborah Roberts. More than they’ll ever know,” he shared. You bet," he admitted. “The obstacles in this kid’s way were things that might have tripped up many others. Not Nick, not even with the disabilities he was born with.”, Al added, “I can’t begin to take credit for who Nick is and who he might become. “He takes chess lessons a couple times a week, and he does OK. He’s also very affectionate — like his grandfather — and full of love to share.”. Terms of Use ", But even though times could be difficult, Al adores his boy more than anything. And Deborah reminds me that I have to show my son not only that I love him but that I like him as well. Is he a dad? "I was waiting to get the ok, but now that it's on her insta, we are so thrilled the @djweslaga asked @ouichefcourtney to marry him. We should have been in Paris, but with how the world is at the moment, it was placed on hold. Roker has two other children, daughter Leila, 21, and son Nicholas, 17, with his wife, Deborah Roberts. “Nick blossomed, far more than Deborah or I could have ever expected, given his original iffy prognosis,” Roker said. Al Roker has proudly watched his son evolve from a child struggling to speak and walk as a toddler into a black belt in taekwondo and as a teenager an integral member of the family church. "Congrats, Courtney and Papa Al!" Specifically, many want to know if the NBC star has a special needs son. All sorts of specialists can tell you about limitations for this and that. Scroll down for everything we know about Al Roker's family! He and his wife, ABC journalist Deborah Roberts, who married in 1994, welcomed their youngest, 17-year-old Nicholas Albert Roker, on July 18, 2002. What Language Does Borat Speak in the Mockumentary? Post was not sent - check your email addresses! 'Dead to Me' Season 2 to premiere May 8 on Netflix, Selena Gomez shares 'Boyfriend' music video, Jane Fonda: Earth Day events will be 'extraordinary' despite COVID-19, What to watch next: Sign up for UPI's Streaming newsletter. Roker also has a 20-year-old daughter, Lelia, with Roberts, and another daughter, Courtney, from a previous relationship. Geist wrote. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Al Roker, wife Deborah Roberts and son Nick Roker, Katherine Schwarzenegger pays tribute to essential workers for Halloween, All of Harry Styles’ tattoos and their meanings, Cardi B slams racist reactions to her Birkin bag collection, B&H takes $1500 off Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera body for limited-time sale, JBL headphones and speakers up to 45 percent off for Amazon sale, Adidas takes 25 percent off headphones for exclusive deal, Where to buy the best yoga pants — a k a Gen Z's 'flared leggings' — in 2020, Le Creuset kettles and cookware up to 30 percent off for extended Amazon sale. Courtney Roker is Roker's daughter with his ex-wife, Alice Bell. Thank you Wes for making me your partner in crime for life. Your California Privacy Rights