Fiero Enthusiasts Give Dying Teen Last Wish
12-18-2009, 09:55 AM
#1
Fiero Enthusiasts Give Dying Teen Last Wish
I saw this today and it was a tear jerker. Such an amazing story, I hope rx8club could band together in a situation such as this.
http://jalopnik.com/5429173/fiero-en...teen-last-wish
Tyler Shipman loves Pontiac Fieros so much he posed for his senior picture with one he bought for $150. Weeks later he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He'd need a miracle to finish his project car.
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After two failed chemo and radiation therapy treatments Tyler decided to return home to die on his own rather than die in a hospital. He hoped he'd be able to finish working on his Fiero. But, running short on strength and time, he turned to the Fiero.com forum for help. It was there where he connected with Andrew Weigel, who quickly worked with other members to assemble a team of fellow Fiero lovers and $4,000 in parts to restore and customize the car. Weigel was not only a fan of the mid-engined sports car, he was also a father with a son one year younger than Tyler.
Less than three weeks later an entire community of car enthusiasts assembled at a local shop in Frazee, Minnesota where Tyler lives. This group created the yellow car, dubbed Tyler's Toy, in just 24 hours. Weigel, who is serving as a Sergeant in the Pennsylvania National Guard in Iraq, watched the entire process from a web cam.
The part that'll really make those tears drop? When it was all done Tyler's dad was supposed to take his son around for a ride, but Tyler was able to summon the strength to drive it himself.
[KARE, TaylorsToy] (Hat tip to Zeeboid!)
http://jalopnik.com/5429173/fiero-en...teen-last-wish
Tyler Shipman loves Pontiac Fieros so much he posed for his senior picture with one he bought for $150. Weeks later he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He'd need a miracle to finish his project car.
*
*
*
*
After two failed chemo and radiation therapy treatments Tyler decided to return home to die on his own rather than die in a hospital. He hoped he'd be able to finish working on his Fiero. But, running short on strength and time, he turned to the Fiero.com forum for help. It was there where he connected with Andrew Weigel, who quickly worked with other members to assemble a team of fellow Fiero lovers and $4,000 in parts to restore and customize the car. Weigel was not only a fan of the mid-engined sports car, he was also a father with a son one year younger than Tyler.
Less than three weeks later an entire community of car enthusiasts assembled at a local shop in Frazee, Minnesota where Tyler lives. This group created the yellow car, dubbed Tyler's Toy, in just 24 hours. Weigel, who is serving as a Sergeant in the Pennsylvania National Guard in Iraq, watched the entire process from a web cam.
The part that'll really make those tears drop? When it was all done Tyler's dad was supposed to take his son around for a ride, but Tyler was able to summon the strength to drive it himself.
[KARE, TaylorsToy] (Hat tip to Zeeboid!)
12-18-2009, 11:18 AM
#5
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
amazing story of what a common passion shared between total strangers can accomplish.
This is especially touching considering I owned a Pontiac Fiero for many years, gawd I miss that car.
This is especially touching considering I owned a Pontiac Fiero for many years, gawd I miss that car.
12-18-2009, 11:46 AM
#8
Registered
cant think of anything to say, but thank you for sharing. makes me happy to know there are ppl who would sacrifice there own well being, to help a dream come true for someone . thanks again for sharing.
12-18-2009, 01:24 PM
#13
That definitely is a tear jerker. Makes you think what would you do in the situation, help someone who doesn't have the means to do it alone regardless of any benefit to yourself other than a good feeling or just be one who sits by and does nothing. I'd be in the former rather than the latter.
Great story.
Great story.
12-18-2009, 01:40 PM
#15
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wow....what a story. Very moving.
I work in telecomm and all I can think of is that I'm glad that all these things are possible today in part because the technology is enabling communities to come together and share things like these.
If you think about it, the Internet is about sharing. Isn't that why we come back to these forum?
I work in telecomm and all I can think of is that I'm glad that all these things are possible today in part because the technology is enabling communities to come together and share things like these.
If you think about it, the Internet is about sharing. Isn't that why we come back to these forum?
12-18-2009, 08:04 PM
#17
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Truely amazing story! I can say that with the spirit and friendship I have found in the mazda community and rotary community that these things are certainly possible. Seeing them in action reminds us of the passion we all have. Cars are cool but it's the relationships and bonds we form as a result; that is the truely important part.
12-19-2009, 12:24 PM
#19
I was especially touched by his ability to get in and drive being inspired by the crowd of supporters. I hope that he makes it and pray so as well. I'd love to see a youngster pull though something like this, God knows!
Paul.
Paul.
12-21-2009, 09:20 AM
#22
The Prototype
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I got a huge knot in my throat from reading that, thanks for sharing, that was touching. I hope all of us could pull off something like that for a member or fellow rotary enthusiast in need.
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