UPDATE: WILD WILLY IS ON THE MOVE! ✨
Day 2 in the hospital, and somehow—against expectations, exhaustion, and fear—Will had all of us stopping in our tracks and saying, “Wait… WHAT?!” 😳💪
There are moments in life that quietly redefine what strength looks like. They don’t arrive with loud announcements or dramatic music. They come disguised as ordinary actions—small choices that, when taken together, reveal something extraordinary. Today was one of those moments.
By 9:00 AM, Will was already awake.
Not just awake, but up.
Out of bed.
And determined.
In a place where time often blurs and days can feel heavy, Will made a decision early this morning that spoke volumes: he wasn’t going to let this hospital room define him. He wasn’t going to surrender his spirit to IV poles, monitors, or the unfamiliar rhythm of medical routines. Instead, he chose movement. He chose momentum. He chose to show up for the day in the strongest way he could.
Before we even had time to process it, he had walked himself to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Yes—walked.
That simple act left us stunned. Hospital hallways are not easy places to navigate, especially when your body is recovering and your energy has been tested. Yet there he was, step by step, moving forward with quiet determination. It wasn’t about the food. It wasn’t about the destination. It was about reclaiming a piece of normalcy, about reminding himself—and all of us—that he is still in charge of how he meets this moment.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, he finished strong with a real shower. 🚿🍳
Not a quick rinse. Not a half-hearted attempt. A real shower—the kind that makes you feel human again. The kind that washes away not just physical fatigue, but some of the emotional weight that settles in during long hospital stays. It was a small victory, but one that carried enormous meaning.
It was Will saying, without words, “I am still me.”
What makes this moment so powerful isn’t just what he did—it’s what it represents.
Hospitals can have a way of shrinking the world. Days revolve around schedules that aren’t yours. Decisions are made by others. You wait. And wait. And wait some more. In that environment, it’s easy to feel like life is happening to you instead of with you.
But Will refused that narrative.
He refused to let this moment define him.
His grit is unbelievable.
That word—grit—gets used often, but rarely does it feel this accurate. Grit is waking up when your body wants rest. Grit is moving when staying still would be easier. Grit is choosing effort when circumstances offer every excuse not to. Will’s grit showed itself today not in grand gestures, but in persistence. In his willingness to try. In his refusal to give in to the limits others might expect of him.
Even more remarkable than his physical determination is his mindset.
Because strength starts long before the body moves—it begins in the mind.
Will’s mindset is steady. Focused. Quietly powerful. There’s no dramatics, no complaints, no dwelling on what’s unfair. Instead, there’s an inner resolve that says, “I’m still here. And I’m still moving forward.” That mindset has become a guiding force for everyone around him.
We are beyond proud of this kid. ❤️
Pride doesn’t even feel like a big enough word. What we feel is awe. Gratitude. Humility. Watching someone so young face something so challenging with this level of courage reshapes your understanding of bravery. It reminds you that strength isn’t about size, age, or circumstance—it’s about heart.
And while Will’s journey is his own, he is far from walking it alone.
One of the most beautiful parts of these past two days has been the reminder of how powerful community truly is. The messages. The prayers. The encouragement. The love that shows up in ways both big and small. It matters more than words can express.
If you’d like to help keep Will’s spirits high, we welcome you.
Stop by.
Say hello.
Bring a smile, a story, or a little laughter with you.
Laughter has a way of cutting through the heaviness, even if only for a moment. It reminds us that joy still exists here. That hope is alive. That there is life beyond these walls, and that it’s waiting patiently for his return.
Your love and support mean more than you know. 🫶
Every visit, every message, every prayer becomes part of the strength that carries him forward. In moments when energy runs low, it’s the collective care of others that fills the gaps. It’s the reminder that Will is seen, valued, and deeply supported.
Hospitals are often associated with fear and uncertainty, but they are also places of resilience, healing, and unexpected victories. Today was one of those victories. Not because it marks the end of a journey, but because it proves that progress—no matter how small—is still progress.
Room 811 has become more than just a number.
📍 Children’s Hospital — Room 811
It’s become a space where courage shows up early in the morning. Where determination walks down long hallways. Where a young fighter reminds everyone watching that circumstances do not get the final word.
Day 2 in the hospital will be remembered not for the challenges it brought, but for the strength it revealed.
And this is only the beginning.
Wild Willy is on the move. ✨
