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Family surprised with handicap accessible van

Posted at 7:33 PM, Feb 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-20 19:34:30-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- "Congrats Dean family, this is your van!"

That's what was written on a banner for a family in need of a handicap accessible van for their 9-year-old boy named Tommy.

Lori's Voice, a local non-profit helping families with special needs, has helped more than 200 families since 2012. Lori Hastings and her husband Dave chose the Dean family out of 10 families currently raising money for a van.

"I couldn't believe it," Amy Dean said after she was surprised with the van. "I had to read the sign twice, and then I realized, 'Oh my gosh, they're giving us a van.'"

For the better part of a year, Amy and her husband Troy have been raising money for their son Tommy, desperately in need of a handicap accessible van. Tommy is living with cerebral palsy and is prone to serious seizures, which are difficult when going out of the house. "It takes a lot of planning, even if it’s a simple thing like going out to ice cream," Amy said. "Lately he's been getting very big, so it's been hard to get him in and out of the van."

Monday, the Deans thought they were coming to Clock Conversions off Clay Avenue to spread the word about their fundraising efforts. Instead, they drove home with a new van.

"There is no more fundraising guys," said Lori Hastings said. "This is yours and here are your keys."

The van was anonymously donated to Lori's Voice before it was given to the Deans.

Living life from a wheelchair as well, Lori Hastings knows the difficulties associated with Tommy's life. "I know firsthand what it's like to have my independence with a van, so I take this personal."

The Deans are still raising money for house modifications for Tommy's needs. You can find out more about their needs by heading to their Gofundme page.