Bentley Wells

Hi, my name is Bentley, and I am a joyful 5-year-old living with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy. While my diagnoses comes with significant challenges, most people first notice my big smile and positive spirit—I’m often told I have “the greatest smile ever” and that I’m “always so happy.”

My parents didn’t know I had any special needs until I began missing developmental milestones as an infant. Since then, our journey has included ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy—multiple times a week—along with numerous medical appointments, some requiring travel of up to four and a half hours each way.

I rely on a bright yellow wheelchair for mobility. It’s my second wheelchair, and it is quite heavy, making transportation physically demanding for my parents and caregivers. I have to be carried in and out, as well as my wheelchair, must be lifted and disassembled each time we travel. An accessible van would greatly reduce physical strain on my caregivers and limit my exposure to Maine’s harsh weather, which can negatively affect my muscle tone and increase seizure risk.

As I grow, being carried will no longer be safe or possible. Additionally, due to my medical needs, I require specialized seating to keep my body in a safe position while traveling. Unfortunately, appropriate adaptive car seats cannot be safely installed in our current vehicle.

Accessible handicap vans are extremely expensive, often costing $70,000 or more. My dad is the sole income earner for our family, while my mom dedicates her time to managing my medical care and supporting me and my two older sisters, ages 10 and 13.

We are asking for your support by donating to Help Hope Live in Bentley’s honor. Any contribution makes a meaningful difference, and we would be incredibly grateful if you would also consider sharing this with friends, family, or coworkers. Thank you for helping our family move toward a safer, more accessible future.