Viral Video: Man With Cerebral Palsy Who Uses Wheelchair Goes to Beach for First Time
A video of a man in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy going to the beach for the first time has gone viral.
David Thomas, a 36-year-old man from Bessemer, Alabama, was able to visit Panama City Beach, Florida, with his longtime friend, Izas Fuller, on Saturday, AL.com reported. Fuller told the publication that he was inspired to take the 36-year-old to the beach after Thomas had commented on his family vacation photos to Panama City Beach.
"His comments made me think, 'I'd really like to take him to the beach,'" Fuller told the publication.
Thomas had not been on a trip since he was 15 years old, according to AL.com. He told WIAT that he was born with cerebral palsy, a brain condition that affects muscle movement and balance, and was only given 24 hours to live when he was born. There is no cure for the condition, and symptoms can vary in severity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thomas's condition did not stop him from going to the beach with Fuller. Friends on Facebook were able to donate money to Thomas to help him get a motorized wheelchair so he can get onto the beach, AL.com reported.
"It just brought tears to my eyes because I never had anyone to take the time to do anything for me because of my being in a wheelchair," he told the publication. "God has blessed with me some real friends. I'm just the luckiest guy to have him in my life and for him to really want to help me."
The video was posted to Fuller's Facebook on Monday and has already garnered 51,000 views, over 1,000 reactions, and 430 shares as of Wednesday.
"David is 36 years old, he has not been out of the Jefferson County area in 20 years! His only trip was a School field trip when he was 15 years old so this is a very special moment for him!" Fuller wrote on his Facebook.
In the video, Thomas can be seen rolling onto the beach in his donated wheelchair and touching sand for the first time. Thomas said that this is the best vacation of his life and told WIAT that Fuller is a "blessing to be around."
"This...it was like a dream. Like something I didn't want to wake up from," Thomas told the publication.
