A high school freshman suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy was left in awe after receiving the gift of a lifetime from his mother.
Andrew Palmer, 14, lives with a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness, breathing difficulties and heart problems.
Because of this, the young teenager is unable to walk on his own legs and requires outside support, as well as assistance from his mother, Katherine Palmer, and stepfather, Josh Powell.
But this summer, Andrew was surprised with a new electric wheelchair: a donation from ICAN of Arkansas, an assistive technology program.
Andrew Palmer, 14, who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, was left in awe after receiving the gift of a lifetime from his mother.
In an Instagram video, Josh is seen carrying Andrew into his home in Arkansas and gently lowering him into the new chair.
As he realizes he’s sitting in a new wheelchair, the tearful teen can be heard telling his mother: “I love you so much, Mom. I can do things on my own now.”
While talking to HelpLivingHopeHe added: “I was very excited and grateful. Before we had the chair, I had no way of getting around the house; my mother and stepfather had to do everything for me.
“I can do a lot more for myself now. I can move from room to room without having to ask or wait for help.”
The video, which has garnered nearly 17 million views, was captioned: “Someone got a BIG surprise today! For the first time, she has an electric wheelchair inside her house. She’s been on a manual one for years and can’t get around her house.”
In an Instagram video, the teenager can be heard tearfully telling his mother: “I love you so much, Mom. I can do things on my own now.”
Due to his condition, the young teenager is unable to walk on his own legs and requires outside support, as well as assistance from his mother, Katherine Palmer, and stepfather, Josh Powell.
Since their duplex has a steep flight of stairs leading to the front door, it was impossible for any of the family members to carry the heavy wheelchair inside their home, forcing Andrew to use a mechanical wheelchair despite his deteriorating muscle strength.
Before receiving his new chair, Andrew only had a 460-pound power chair that he used outside his duplex and at school.
As the building has a steep flight of stairs leading to the front door, it was impossible for any of the family members to carry the heavy wheelchair inside their home, forcing Andrew to use a mechanical wheelchair despite his deteriorating muscle strength.
“The smallest electric wheelchairs available are not covered by insurance and cost several thousand dollars. We are not wealthy people,” Katherine told the medical fundraising publication.
But with the help of an organization called I-Can of Arkansas, where people can donate used medical equipment, the hopeful mother was able to purchase a new electric wheelchair.
Before receiving his new chair, Andrew only had a 460-pound power chair that he used outside his duplex and at school.
Andrew had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 19 months old.
‘Every now and then I check their inventory to see if they have anything that Andrew needs. I came across this power chair and wasn’t sure if it would be the right size for him or if we could bring it into the house, but I decided to order it. The order was accepted the same day.
“Two days later, Andrew’s stepdad Josh and I went to get her. We spent two hours pushing, pulling, straining and sweating to get the electric chair in,” he said.
Andrew had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 19 months old.
It is an inherited disorder of progressive muscle weakness that is most commonly seen in children.
Symptoms include frequent falls, difficulty getting up or running, unsteady gait, large calves, and learning difficulties.
There is no cure, but physical therapy and medications, such as corticosteroids, can help control symptoms and improve quality of life.
