Hi Will!! You'll never believe it, but when I googled my name today, I came across your website! My name is William Willer, too! I am 45 years old, and work for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. I am a little older than you, so clearly we are not the same person living in parallel universes or something like that! But what do you think the chances are of us having the same name? It's not like our last name is "Smith" or "Washington" or "Jackson", a name held by many. Willer? That's rare. And then, what is the likelihood of our respective parents giving us William as a first name? A name so similar to our last name that it makes you wonder. (And while we are on this topic, have you realized yet, as I did long ago, that when you are a kid in school and the teacher asks the class to line up single-file, alphabetically, you are always at the end of the line, no matter whether the teacher goes by first or last name? I think our parents should have gone with a name like "Andrew" or "Al"...just to level the playing field a bit. What do you think? And thank god my parents did not give me "Oliver" as a middle name. If they had, my initials would have spelled W-O-W, and I would likely have not survived middle school. From reviewing your site, it sounds like you have had to deal with a lot for a young guy. You hang in there. God works in very mysterious ways, to be sure, and I'll tell you what: While no one should have to deal with the health issues you have had to, I'll bet you have a view of life that no one else your age could possibly have. Hopefully, over time, you will find your rich appreciation of life makes your experience over the years more meaningful than that experienced by most. HANG IN THERE, WW!! You are making all of us William Willer's out here look pretty good! Your friend in DC, William
I am a fellow "ependyparent" (well a newbie, actually) and mom to Charley who is 18mths and was diagnosed with a supratentorial anaplastic ependymoma in July/08 at 11 mths. I just wanted to say that I read through your site this evening and really appreciated the insights given to me from your journey - a long and arduous one to be sure. Will, in you we have found another hero. Our Charley is a fighter, too: strong in mind, body and spirit just like you. I just wanted to say that we will definately keep Will in our prayers and the rest of the family as well. And, GO WILLIAM!!!!! Your recovery from this last was truly admirable. (Charley has a left-sided weakness and some eye issues as well and gets physio/OT/SLP and is beginning to learn how to walk.)
Prayers and positive energy to you all, Judy Bloor www.caringbridge.org/visit/charleybloor
Michelle,Jim,Patricia & Will, Thank-you for the detailed updates on this website. Michelle, it sounds like you have earned a medical degree throughout this. Your family is a living testimony on how to deal with life's pain with grace, dignity, strength and hope. We love you so much,and you're in our thoughts and prayers.