Friends of Will 2023 Walk-a-thon

Behind Blue Eyes.

My dad is not a very cultured or social man. He prefers to be alone (or with my mom and me) and usually spends his time thinking about me and my well-being (as opposed to dining out, attending a play, or socializing in large groups).

This year however, he and I became fans of classical music; our “go to” is always Mozart’s "Marriage of the Figaro". It is featured in my dad’s favorite movie which is all about hope and unrelenting persistence and determination; the movie motivates him to continue his lifelong fight to stop my seizures and provide me the best life possible. For me, the song helps quiet my brain and provides a temporary respite from the chaos that is often present. If we have listened to it together in silence once, we have done so, 500 times. It is a three+ minute escape from the sometimes suffocating reality for both of us. At its conclusion, my dad is usually awash in quiet tears imagining us being reunited in heaven, healthy and conversing endlessly (along with his father and my best friend, Pop); I, usually end up in a relaxed trance-like state. Bravo Mozart!

For those new to my cause, I was born with a rare brain malformation (Cortical Dysplasia – affecting 1 in 10M) that stunted my IQ (I am currently 19 and have the IQ of a two-year-old), am non-verbal, have very limited communication ability and many other physical disabilities including suffering from multiple seizures daily. Music is one of the few things that brings people like me joy, happiness, and serenity. It enriches our lives and allows us to “participate” and have fun; it is an invaluable activity.

Our 5th annual Friends of Will (FOW – a 501C3)) walk-a-thon takes place from noon on 11/18 to noon on 11/19 at Cold Spring Harbor High School on Long Island (main field/track). We will once again raise money to help fund the music department at my amazing school and full-time residence, The Center for Discovery (TCFD) thecenterfordiscovery.org. The Center is a best-in-class facility (think of it as the Harvard for folks like me but without a Yale, UPenn or Princeton as an alternative) that provides unmatched educational and recreational opportunities and life-changing research that benefit people with complex challenges around the world.

TCFD employs more than 1,500 employees and provides services for more than 500 children and adults with special needs. Unless you have seen it firsthand, you cannot imagine just how wonderful it is.

Our objective this year is to raise $100,000+ from more than 700 donors. To reach our goal, we once again humbly request your generous financial support AND that you share this email with at least five potential new supporters. Fundraising is uncomfortable for most, but please know, there is no worthier cause and that my family is deeply appreciative of your support. Please.

We hope you join us for our walk. We chose to walk so everyone can participate (regardless of age, ability, disability, etc.) and do so for 24 hours, so that participants might gain a better understanding of the round the clock challenges of raising a special needs child or adult.

Thank you and may God bless you and your loved ones…WE HOPE!

Ps – Please let my family know if / how we can repay your love and support. It would be our pleasure and the least we can do for your on-going support. I had my first seizure at nine months old; we are incredibly grateful to all of you who have been with us throughout my entire journey and those that have joined more recently. You can follow me at Will Schupler on both FB and IG (my ghost writer greatly appreciates all of your inspirational comments in response to his posts).