When my wife, Phyllis, and I first considered adopting our son, Will, we knew it would be a leap of faith. We realized that by the time he finished school, I’d be 67 and Phyllis 64. Raising a child with Down syndrome later in life would be a challenge — but it was also an opportunity to embrace something life-changing. Looking back now, that decision has come full circle.
Will’s life mirrors the mission behind Beyond26: fostering meaningful work, independence, and community connection. His days are filled with purposes: working, bowling, playing Pokémon, listening to music, and alternating between guitars, drums, and keyboard. Routine brings him confidence, and inclusion allows him to thrive.
For several years, Will and his best friend Nick worked together in Beyond26’s document shredding program. Will’s primary challenge is verbal; Nick’s is physical. But together, they balance one another with remarkable understanding. Will open’s Nick’s soda bottle cap, Nick speaks up when Will struggles to communicate. It’s a natural partnership that embodies the verse from II Corinthians 8:12–14 — “Your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end, you come out even.”
In 2022, that partnership led to a new chapter. Weller Truck Parts contacted Beyond26 about including individuals with disabilities in their workforce. I proposed a short internship for Will and Nick to demonstrate their abilities. After six shifts, the company called — not just to say it went well, but to ask if the two could join the team permanently. That moment captured why Beyond26 exists. Inclusion isn’t charity; it’s opportunity. When individuals with unique talents are given the chance to contribute, they shape their workplaces— and their communities — for the better. Will and Nick’s success story reflects something deeper: that the right support can turn uncertainty into independence, and risk into reward. For our family, it’s a story of faith fulfilled. For Beyond26, it’s a daily reminder that everyone deserves a chance to go beyond.
Written by Dirk Bakhuyzen, Founder, Beyond26