Last night, WLWT Channel 5 updated the story featuring Deer Park student Seth Dryer, as his handicap accessible van was delivered on Wednesday afternoon. Donated by Castrucci Ford with support from the Land Family of Deer Park, the van featured a handicap accessible lift, space for Seth's wheelchair, and a 29-inch television. You can check out the full story by clicking the image above or the link below.
Deer Park family receives new van to help son with polio-like illness
WLWT Channel 5
By Ashley Kirklen
January 29, 2020
DEER PARK, Ohio — Seth Dryer is a Deer Park teenager with a polio-like illness called acute flaccid myelitis. The only way he can communicate is with his eyes.
Since Seth's story first aired on WLWT in December 2019, the outpouring of support from the community has raised thousands of dollars for the Dryer family.
The folks from Castrucci Ford saw the story and wanted to help. On Wednesday, they donated a new, handicapped-accessible van to the Dryer family.
The side wheelchair lift helps Seth get in easily. The nine-passenger van comes complete with removable leather seats, a folding sofa, space for Seth's wheelchair and room for him to kick up his feet.
For Seth, the best feature may be 29-inch TV. For his family, the van means the ability to take better care of him.
"We've had such a hard time getting Seth around to appointments, and we had a couple emergencies and we had to call the ambulance, and this is going to be so much easier for me and Joanie to be able to get him around," said Seth's dad, John Dryer.
Seth has been mainly confined to his room and his bed for a year and a half. Right now, he's only able to go to school online.
"So, yes, he'll be able to go up to school and be with his friends," said Dryer.
Seth will also be able to regularly go to his therapy appointments, which his parents hope will increase his mobility and the function of his limbs.
The van, donated by Castrucci Ford and customized by Mobility Works, is just one of the many things the community has done to rally behind the Dryer family.
"It's a small community, but when this community comes together, big things can be done," said Bobby Castrucci, of Castrucci Ford.
For Seth, the new wheels may be a close second in the gift category to his autographed picture from his favorite quarterback, Tom Brady.