My name is Bre, and I am the proud mom of Taylor—an incredible 21-year-old who lights up every room he enters.

Taylor was born nonverbal, but he is expressive in every other way: he laughs, flirts, jokes, advocates for his needs, and stands up for himself. His voice is his AAC talker—an iPad Mini that he uses to communicate with the world.

That device changed everything.

With it, he ordered spaghetti and meatballs and a root beer by himself for the first time. He tells us when he needs help, asks for breaks when overwhelmed, cracks jokes, and makes friends. That talker is his independence.

Next month, Taylor will graduate and turn 21. It is supposed to be a milestone of independence, opportunity, and community. But the school district plans to take away his AAC device—the tool he uses every single day to communicate—right as he transitions into adulthood.

Taylor does have a larger, insurance-funded AAC device at home, but it is bulky and not meant for everyday living. He cannot carry it while shopping, socializing, volunteering, or going out in the community. The small AAC device he has used for years is the one that lets him be himself.

We urgently need to replace his portable communication setup, so Taylor never loses his voice.

Taylor’s Medical and Safety Needs

Taylor lives with polymicrogyria, epilepsy, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

He experiences several types of seizures—some silent, some sudden falls—and he has unusually low pain perception. He has had injuries without realizing it. He also has swallowing challenges and was hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia and sepsis last year.

Taylor is loving, social, and active, but he is medically vulnerable. He needs more than a voice device. He needs tools that keep him safe and connected while he lives his life in the community:

Why I’m Asking for Help

I am a nurse by training, but Taylor’s needs require my full attention. Caring for him is a full-time job, and we live on a limited income. There is no second parent, no caregiver rotation, no financial backup. It’s just the two of us.

I have advocated for 21 years—quietly, creatively, and fiercely.

But Taylor is stepping into adulthood, and this transition is bigger than me.

I’m asking for help not because we are broken, but because Taylor deserves the same chance at independence and safety as any young man.

What This Journey Feels Like

Being Taylor’s mom and sole caregiver for his entire life has been the greatest honor—and the greatest challenge. From countless therapies, medical scans, specialist visits, and hospital stays to the everyday moments of hope, fear, exhaustion, and resilience, this journey never pauses.

There are nights without sleep, moments when hope feels fragile, and days that demand strength I didn’t know I had. For families of children with epilepsy and complex medical needs, there is no true “breathing room.” Every moment comes with vigilance, uncertainty, and love.

I share this not for pity, but so you understand the deep need behind this fundraiser—and why your support means so much to both of us.

Your Donations Will Help Fund Taylor’s Adult “Safety and Independence Toolkit”

These are the foundational tools he needs to communicate, stay safe, and thrive:

Taylor Has Dreams

He is social, silly, and kind. He loves basketball, video games, animals, cooking, swimming, and being around others. He is the sweetest and funniest person I know. He cannot wait to start his day program, be part of a community, and someday volunteer with animals.

He communicates ambition, humor, and affection—because he has a voice. Removing that voice now would be devastating.

I’ve devoted my life to advocating for my son, but this next chapter requires village support. If you can help—through donations, sharing this campaign, or simply keeping us in your thoughts—we are grateful.

If you would like to sponsor a specific item—like his AAC device, seizure monitor, or medical ID—please reach out and I will gladly share details.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read our story and for any support you can offer. Being Taylor’s mom has been the greatest honor and challenge of my life. This journey is not easy, but knowing that there are kind people like you who see Taylor’s worth and want to help means more than words can express.

Every single donation, share, and message of encouragement gives us hope and strength. Together, we can make the impossible possible—for Taylor and for all of us.

Thank you for standing with us.

With love and gratitude,

Bre