A generous high school pupil had been working a part-time job for two years while studying in order to save enough money to buy his disabled friend an electric wheelchair.
Tanner Wilson and Brandon Qualls have always been best buds. Now, the pair from Norman, Arkansas, has also inspired the world.
Tanner had been selflessly saving up money to buy Brandon a new wheelchair. He wanted to replace the hand-push model with an electric one to help Brandon get around and be more independent.
After working at a local car mechanic for two years, Tanner surprised Brandon with a new wheelchair in front of his classmates.
“They came in and my face just blew up. I was just crying everywhere. I was like, ‘Wow I can’t believe he did that for me.’” Brandon told News9.
“It’s been my dream to just have one of these. And my dream came true. He’s just always been there for me.”
Speaking of his generous gift and selfless act, Tanner added:
“He’s just been a really good friend and I wanted to do him a favor. I just felt like I needed to do it … Brandon, he’s just always been there for me.”
As Colleen Carmack, the mother of Tanner, explained, the media quickly picked up her son’s story and brought smiles on people’s faces.
“They both deserve the attention because they’re both great and wonderful kids,” she said.
As the proud mother added, however, Tanner’s actions didn’t surprise her at all.
“That’s him. He’s always been about everybody else and not himself. We let him know, you get nowhere being mean,” Ms. Carmack added.
According to the mother, her young boy “had some bad experiences over the last year, so him being able to help somebody else has really brought him out — being able to know that he made a difference. And I can see a difference in him — like wanting to get out and do more.
“We’re talking about college. He’s had that goal, but he’s talking about it more now.”
Speaking of Brandon and Tanner’s friendship, the mother added:
“They talk about cars a lot and trucks and that kind of stuff. I’m really proud of both of them.
“His parents don’t have a way to get his wheelchair home. It is stuck at school right now. Their vehicle is not wheelchair accessible.”
Kathy Baker, the young man’s teacher, also spoke out and claimed that Tanner is “a great young man” who cares more about others than himself.
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