When Bill and Bethany Bresser welcomed their son Will into the world, they knew their journey as parents would be different than most.

Born prematurely, Will spent his first six months in the NICU. Since then, he has faced extraordinary medical challenges including cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, limited mobility and cognitive disabilities. Over the years, he has undergone more than 30 brain surgeries.

“It’s been a long road,” Bill said. “The last half of last year was especially tough.”

Yet when Bill and Bethany talk about their son, they don’t focus on the obstacles.

“We love Will,” Bill said. “If God was going to give the world a special kid, he landed in the right place.”

Today, Will’s infectious personality lights up the lives of everyone around him, including his younger sister, Vada. But like many families raising a child with significant medical needs, the Bressers have learned that navigating adaptive equipment, insurance approvals and therapy needs can often be just as challenging as the medical journey itself.

That’s where May We Help entered their lives.

 

A Resource Discovered at the Right Time

The family’s connection to May We Help began when Will was just three years old.

“We kind of stumbled upon May We Help inadvertently,” Bethany said.

Through Will’s therapy team, the family learned about the nonprofit’s mission of creating customized adaptive equipment solutions for children and adults with disabilities.

One of the first projects involved an adapted bicycle.

Will’s therapist had secured a donated adaptive Freedom Concepts bike, equipment that can cost between $6,000 and $7,000 before any customization is added. While the bike provided a foundation, it still needed modifications to fit Will’s unique needs.

May We Help volunteers stepped in.

After reviewing the family’s request, volunteers customized the bike with specialized foot straps, lateral chest supports and other adaptations to ensure Will could ride safely and comfortably.

The result was transformational.

 

More Than a Bike

For many children, a bike ride is a simple childhood activity.

For Will, it represents freedom, therapy and an opportunity to experience the world beyond the walls of his home.

“Will doesn’t always like to leave the house,” Bethany explained. “We needed to find a way to make him want to go outside for sunshine and exercise.”

The adapted bike provided an answer.

During the summer months, the family uses it nearly every day. If Will wants to pedal, he can. If he’s having a difficult day, his parents can steer and push from behind.

The bike gives him options.

More importantly, it gives him joy.

“He’ll be outside for an hour on his bike,” Bethany said. “Sometimes he cries when we take him out.”

For a child whose routines can often revolve around medical appointments and therapies, those moments of freedom are invaluable.

“This isn’t just for fun,” Bill said. “It’s therapy.”

 

Filling the Gaps Insurance Can’t

The Bressers quickly learned that May We Help’s impact extends far beyond a single project.

Over the years, the family has benefited from adapted standers, walkers and other equipment that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Many adaptive devices require lengthy insurance approval processes. Even when approved, families often face significant out-of-pocket costs or discover that the equipment isn’t quite right for their child’s needs.

“We’re going through transitions now where we need a gait trainer,” Bethany said. “Insurance takes forever. But May We Help can often fit Will with a donated one while we’re waiting.”

May We Help maintains an inventory of donated adaptive equipment that can be modified and customized to meet individual needs. And for families like the Bressers, that support can save thousands of dollars while providing immediate solutions.

“We haven’t gotten a new stander through insurance in years because we’ve been able to use donated equipment through May We Help,” Bethany said. “They customize it for Will. It saves families so much money.”

 

More Than Equipment

While the adaptive equipment has been life-changing, the Bressers say what truly sets May We Help apart is the people.

“They’re just very kind,” Bethany said. “They always take a moment to say hello to Will. We always feel like part of the community when we go there.”

For families navigating complex medical journeys, those personal connections matter.

The organization also provides guidance and education, helping parents understand equipment options and available resources.

 

Angels in the Community

As Bill reflects on the support his family has received, emotion sometimes gets the better of him.

“To me, I almost get choked up when I think about people like May We Help,” he said. “It’s difficult raising a child with special needs. Sometimes you’re at your wit’s end. It’s expensive. It’s exhausting.”

Organizations like May We Help, he says, provide something every family needs: hope.

“There are people who understand that plight and are willing and ready to help,” Bill said. “They’re making adaptive equipment, modifying toys and creating solutions that make everyday life easier.”

Bethany agrees.

“It’s a local nonprofit that’s there when other places aren’t,” she said. “Finding resources can be challenging. May We Help makes it easier to find solutions you can’t just find anywhere else.”

 

Looking Ahead

As Will continues to grow, his needs will continue to change.

The Bressers know there will be future equipment requests, therapies and challenges to navigate. But they also know they won’t be navigating them alone.

“We’ll definitely be utilizing May We Help down the road,” Bill said.

May We Help’s mission isn’t simply about building adaptive equipment. It’s about building possibilities.

It’s about creating opportunities for children like Will to experience greater independence, greater mobility and greater joy.

And sometimes, it’s as simple and meaningful as a bike ride on a sunny summer afternoon.