Heartwarming reaction of teen son when mom surprises him with electric wheelchair

A freshman with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was stunned when he received the gift of a lifetime from his mother.

Andrew Palmer, 14, suffers from a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness, breathing problems and heart problems.

As a result, the young teen is unable to walk independently and requires outside support, as well as help 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.

In a video posted to Instagram, Josh is seen carrying Andrew into their Arkansas home and carefully lowering him into the new chair.

As he realizes he’s in a brand new wheelchair, the teen can be heard crying as he tells his mother, “I love you so much, Mom. I can do things for myself now.”

While I’m talking to HelpHopeLivehe continued, “I felt so excited and grateful. Before we got the chair, I had no way to get around our house — my mom and stepdad had to do everything for me.

‘Now I can do much more by myself. I can move from room to room without asking for help and waiting.’

The video, which has been viewed nearly 17 million times, was captioned: “Someone got a HUGE surprise today! For the first time ever, he has an electric wheelchair in his home! He has been in a manual wheelchair for years and can’t move around the house on his own.”

In an Instagram video, the teen can be heard crying as he tells his mother: “I love you so much, mom. I can do things for myself now”

Due to his condition, the young teen is unable to walk on his own two feet and requires outside support, as well as help from his mother, Katherine Palmer, and stepfather, Josh Powell.

Because their duplex has a steep staircase leading to the front door, it was not possible for any of the family members to bring the heavy wheelchair inside. Andrew was therefore forced to use a mechanical wheelchair, despite his diminishing muscle strength.

Before Andrew got his new chair, he only had a 450-pound electric wheelchair that he used outside the home and at school.

Because the building has steep stairs to the front door, it was not possible for any of the family members to take the heavy wheelchair inside, forcing Andrew to use a mechanical wheelchair despite his diminishing muscle strength.

“The smaller electric wheelchairs that are available are not covered by insurance and cost thousands of dollars. We are not rich 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 Andrew got his new chair, he only had a 450-pound electric wheelchair that he used outside of their duplex and at school

Andrew was diagnosed with Duchenne disease when he was 19 months old

“I scan the inventory every now and then to see if they have anything 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 even get it in the house, but I went ahead and put in a request. The request was accepted the same day.

“Two days later, Andrew’s stepfather, Josh, and I picked him up. We spent two hours pushing, pulling, rattling and sweating to get the electric wheelchair inside,” she said.

Andrew was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was 19 months old.

The condition is a hereditary disorder associated with progressive muscle weakness and most commonly occurs in boys.

Symptoms include frequent falls, difficulty getting up or running, waddling gait, swollen 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.