When Will found out he was going to be a dad to twins, it was during the height of the pandemic. He wasn’t even allowed into the ultrasound appointment. Instead, his wife Rizka delivered the news in the car.
“We were overwhelmed, really,” Will says. With no history of twins in either of their families, the news was totally unexpected.
Raising three boys—twins Asher and Levi and their big brother Aydan—has been a whirlwind. One of Will’s favourite things about being a dad is laughing and playing with his sons. “I mean, I’m a big kid myself, so I enjoy playing with them. Work does take a lot out of me, so I try to do what I can when I’m at home,” he says.
For Will, one of the biggest challenges has been time—time to give each of his sons the attention they need, time to be present, and time to navigate the unexpected turns that parenting brings.
At Asher’s 18-month checkup, a nurse practitioner raised concerns about his speech delay. That led to a referral to a pediatrician and the daunting realization that they might have to wait years for a public health autism assessment, or else pay three or four thousand dollars for a private assessment.
That’s when their pediatrician told them about Variety.
With a private assessment grant, Asher no longer had to wait years for a diagnosis. Today, he has access to government funding for speech and behavioural therapy—interventions that are helping improve communication and life skills.
“He has more time to develop before he goes to school,” says Will.
These new tools are helping Asher better express his needs and emotions, reducing frustration and helping him connect more with others. He’s even learning to communicate using an augmentative and alternative communication program where he can select words, pictures, or symbols on an iPad. Asher is catching on quickly, and his therapists are thrilled with his progress.
It’s been an emotional journey. “He’s trying to vocalize a lot,” Will says. “I feel bad when I don’t understand what he’s trying to say.”
Will hopes the therapies will help Asher get along with and relate to other kids more easily. Through it all, Will finds strength in his wife, his family, and the love he has for his boys. “My wife, she guides me,” he says. “I couldn’t do what she does every day.”
Asher, in the meantime, is growing into his own unique personality. He’s smart and good at problem-solving. He’s growing, and enjoying his childhood—and learning to navigate his world with the support of a family who loves him.
“I don’t know what I would do without my family,” says Will. “With Asher, I’m grateful. He’s perfect to me.”
Fathers like Will are cheerleaders and supporters who work long hours, treasure time with their kids, and want the very best for them. This Father’s Day, we recognize and celebrate the many fathers and father figures in our community. Happy Father’s Day from the Variety BC team!