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Local man donates handicap-accessible van to girl with rare neurological disorder

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. — Last week Channel 11 News told you about one local mother's quest to win her daughter a wheelchair-accessible van through an online contest.

But before the contest has even ended, Beverly Carr had her wish come true, thanks to a local man.

Related story: Mom tries to win custom van for special needs daughter

Carr's 17-year-old daughter, Amber, was born with a rare neurological disorder called lissencephaly. Over time, she has lost most of her abilities, and she suffers from debilitating seizures.

"She can't walk without assistance, and getting her in and out of the car is difficult," Carr said. "She is 3 inches taller than me and weighs about 100 pounds. Having a handicapped child is hard. I have to lift her. I have to do everything for her, and it’s tiring.”

After seeing Carr's story last week, Steve Simmons said he wanted to help in a big way.

Simmons owns a transport company for disabled people and gave the Carrs the van they needed and also said he will pay for the insurance and upkeep of the vehicle.

"I watched the report about a week ago and I thought to myself, 'This family needs help. So I had to help,'" Simmons said. "I'm nothing special. We have a team of people that does this."

But to the Carr family, Simmons is special and they said they can't thank him enough.

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. We can never repay you," Steve Carr, Amber's dad said.

"I'm just glad that there are people out there who want to help," Beverly Carr said.