Now and then: How Bear Essentials helped this Parksville family
A few years ago, we introduced you to Heather, Wyatt, and Kason from Parksville. Living on Vancouver Island with her two sons, Heather’s experienced both the highs and lows that come with raising children with unique needs. But through it all, support from Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island’s Bear Essentials program has been a beacon of hope.
Heather’s younger son, Kason, began homeschooling two years ago. Wyatt joined him the following year. While homeschooling has brought them closer as a family, it’s also presented its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to ensuring Wyatt has the tools he needs to succeed. Wyatt, who is reaching adulthood, requires specialized equipment to help him navigate the world comfortably and safely.
One piece of equipment has made a profound impact on their lives—a specialized all-terrain wheelchair that allows Wyatt to experience the beach, a place he hadn’t been able to visit for years. The chair, which was a generous gift from another family who lost their son, has been nothing short of life-changing for Wyatt and his family.
“The beach chair… I haven’t been able to bring Wyatt on the beach for five years because if he gets overwhelmed, I can’t carry him anymore, he’s too big,” Heather explains. “But I can bring him on the beach in this chair.”
However, Wyatt’s flexibility means that a typical harness won’t keep him secure in the chair. The family is now working with specialists to create a custom harness, a project that may require additional support from the Bear Essentials program.
Reflecting on the past few years, Heather is filled with gratitude for the support they’ve received. The Bear Essentials program has not only provided necessary equipment in the past, like Wyatt’s stroller and feeding chair, but also peace of mind.
“When I have to put requests in or our team does that, I never feel anxious or worried or stressed about asking Bear Essentials,” Heather shares. “The team is so compassionate.”
For Heather, the support from the Foundation isn’t just about receiving equipment—it’s about the broader impact on their lives. Wyatt, who used to struggle with being around his cousins, now enjoys their company. He’s more content, smiling more, and even sitting at the family table during meals—something that wouldn’t have happened just a short time ago.
Kason loves road trips, spending time with his cousins, and learning new things through homeschool. A highlight for him this past year was learning to spell words that interest him, like “wish” from his favourite movie and “Venom” from Spider-Man.
Heather’s message to the Foundation’s supporters is simple but heartfelt: “Thank you. It changes lives for families, and life can be so challenging and hard. To know you have people that will support you and help you with things that you need is huge.”
