From Firefighter to Finding Independence: Will’s Story at Over the Rainbow

A special moment: Will Sullivan and his mom, Lisa, sharing laughs over a game in his apartment. Photo by Robin Subar Photography.

Will Sullivan once lived a life full of adventure, he was a firefighter, loved extreme sports, and thrived on challenges. But nearly ten years ago, a car accident changed everything. The traumatic brain injury he sustained could have happened to any of us, leaving him hospitalized for a year and unsure of what the future would hold.

Will Sullivan once a fearless firefighter

Once a fearless firefighter and thrill-seeker, Will Sullivan thrived on challenges and adventure. “I loved to play games, go on walks, and just have fun,” he says. “Yeah, I was a firefighter… it was a good time.” But nearly ten years ago, a car accident changed everything. The traumatic brain injury he sustained left him hospitalized for a year and uncertain about the future. “He got hurt. He had a traumatic brain injury almost ten years ago, and went through a year of hospitalization and rehab and then he lived at home for several years,” recalls his mother, Lisa Sullivan.

After years of recovery, Will found a new beginning at Over The Rainbow (OTR), where he now enjoys independence in a supportive, safe environment.
“I have a pretty sweet life, and I like it a lot,” he shares. His mother adds, “He’s very happy guy. He’s very fortunate. To have the support he has.”

Will’s College friends still take him adaptive skiing.

Life at OTR offers Will both comfort and opportunity. “It’s a nice, safe, clean place. His apartment’s really nice. It’s very comfortable here,” says Lisa. While he faces challenges with speech, Will keeps engaged: “He interacts, but it’s difficult for him to generate speech. So he plays a lot of games.” Staff and caregivers are always close by to provide support. “

People are very helpful here… one time he fell in the bathroom and James came over and called me back and said, he’s up off the floor. He’s going to be okay. ”

For Will and others like him, OTR isn’t just housing, it’s independence. “Because a lot of people don’t have an opportunity to live on their own without OTR… it’s extremely affordable and I think really well-run from that standpoint,” says Lisa.

Through OTR, Will has found not just a home, but a community where he can thrive safely, comfortably, and happily.