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Mar 29, 2007 9:34 pm US/Eastern
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Dream To Drive Comes True For Armless Md. Man
by Gigi Barnett
HARFORD CO., Md. (WJZ) ―
A long-time dream has finally come true for a Harford County man who beat the odds and a disability to drive a car.
As
Gigi Barnett reports, Johnny Hudson could not have done it without the help of friends and one special minivan.
The wide open road is something Hudson thought he would never see from the driver's side of a car.
With no arms and just one leg and one foot, many people thought Hudson would never be able to drive a car.
Last year, Hudson took the first step to overcome those doubts by getting his license. But, without a specially designed car to suit his body, Hudson's license was useless.
Then, starting last August, friends began raising money and were able to accumulate nearly $30,000 to buy a customized minivan.
"I said we gotta make this dream come true," said one of Hudson's friends Dave Sirio.
The state's division of rehabilitative services helped alter a standard minivan to meet Hudson's special needs.
The minivan has touch pads for Hudson's head and voice activation to allow him to do everything other drivers do.
There is also a joystick for his foot to control everything. The special vehicle even has a name: Goldilocks
Hudson's proud family captured their son's first moments on the road with a family video camera.
"I told Johnny it was like him getting married," said Hudson's mother Peggy Hudson. "Now that Johnny has his new minivan, the joys of ownership begin," she added. "That means paying for gas, paying for insurance and of course following all of the road rules."
Johnny is confident in his driving ability, but he said jokingly, he only worries about one thing. "I hope nobody expects me to wave," he said.
Despite some people's reluctance to talk about his disability, Hudson openly discusses his condition, saying his adversity helps keep him motivated.
"A lot of people sit back and think that they can't do things and they have all of their arms and their legs," said Hudson. He now hopes his hard work and the dedication put forth by his loved ones and friends will show others that "all things are possible."
He added, "If you have the ability to do it, do it, with or without arms."
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)