MONTREAL — Two months after their wheelchair-adapted van was stolen, eight-year old Fernando and his father finally got the keys back.
The van went missing just before Christmas, and Fernando was heartbroken.
READ MORE: Father and 8-year-old son devastated over adapted van theft
The story was shared on Facebook, and a good samaritan ended up spotting the van on a tow-truck as it was heading into a Lachine scrapyard.
A West Island car dealership offered to help repair the van free of charge, and after anxiously awaiting its return, the family was reunited with the van on Wednesday morning.
“Finally we have it back and it looks very good, so life will be easier with the car now,” said Carlos Ruiz, Fernando’s father.
READ MORE: NDG family thrilled after adapted van is found
Fernando brought a cake to thank the dealership for repairing the vehicle for free.
“It’s a happy moment,” said Benny Bouganim, co-owner of Des Sources Chrysler dealership.
“We changed the engine, we changed the transmission, we changed the front brakes, they were finished completely,” he said.
“We changed the ignition cylinder because when they broke into it they dismantled the whole thing.”
READ MORE: NDG family’s story inspires École secondaire Mont-Royal students
Fernando’s neighbours were also on site to witness the happy ending to what started as a heartbreaking story.
“Seeing his smile, I’m really happy!”
“I just needed the closure of Fernando getting the van,” said Sophie Giroux.
“I’ve never seen the van look so good, they did an amazing job!”
Fernando’s father said the whole ordeal has restored his faith in humanity and he’s relieved to no longer have to rely on friends and adapted transportation to drive his disabled son around.
READ MORE: Questions raised over scrap-yard where stolen adapted van was found
“I really can’t thank people enough!”
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