Single Disabled Suffolk County Mom Receives Life-Changing Holiday Miracle Gift: Wheelchair Accessible Van from Bussani Mobility Team

A single, disabled mom living in Suffolk County received a life-changing holiday miracle gift on Dec. 30.

Theresa Thomas was presented with a refurbished Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible van at Bussani Mobility Team in Smithtown, where she became the second annual recipient of the company’s Peter Zarba Memorial Van Donation Program. New Beginnings (a community center for brain injury rehabilitation) arranged the introduction between the two parties that has made this heart-felt wish come true.

A former nurse, Theresa became severely disabled 7 years ago at the age of 39 by a genetic condition triggered during pregnancy that left her confined to bed. She has two sons, aged 15 and 7. And her mother, aged 70, uses a wheelchair as a result of a brain injury and two strokes. As Theresa’s condition worsened and she was no longer able to leave the house, let alone work, the family fell homeless and lived in shelters for several years and the children moved from school to school. The struggles they endured, just to live a basic life with food, shelter, and schooling, were unimaginable. But she never gave up fighting…to get well, to find a place for her family to live, to give back.

With the wheelchair accessible van, Theresa will be mobile again. She will regain her independence and be able to take care of her family in the way they were accustomed to before her physical disability set in.

Overjoyed at the presentation ceremony, Theresa Thomas said: “They didn’t give us a van. They gave us life...This beautiful gift allows us the ability to have a productive future. I can return to work, continue school, and begin to provide for my family again. All these things would never have been possible without your grace. We will live in a perpetual state of ‘pay it forward.’ You are Christmas angels to us and we thank you kindly for this immense Christmas blessing!”

Theresa is working to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology so she can become a social worker and live a life of service to others. She eventually wants to open a not-for-profit in Suffolk County connecting the disabled, mentally ill, homeless, and veterans to the many resources Long Island has to offer.

“There’s no end to what this remarkable woman will do to help her family and the disabled community here on Long Island now that she has her own wheelchair accessible vehicle to get around,” said Daniel Bussani, Vice President at Bussani Mobility Team. “She has big dreams. With her perseverance, strength and compassion, we have no doubt that she’ll reach every one of them and she’ll touch many lives for the good.”

The van was donated by a Bussani Mobility Team customer and refurbished by the company. Two other local automotive companies contributed to the effort: Third Generation Auto Body (donated the body work) and Don’s Hand Car Wash (donated the detail work).

Photo: Left to right: Mark Mancini (President, Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, John M. Kennedy (Suffolk County Legislator 12th District) and his wife Leslie, Michael J. Fitzpatrick (Assemblyman, District 8), Robert Trotta (Suffolk County Legislator 13th District), Daniel Bussani (Vice President, Bussani Mobility Team), John Bussani (Founder & President, Bussani Mobility Team), Allyson Scerri (Founder & President, New Beginnings), Thomas Archer (Board Member, New Beginnings), Nina Quartuccio (General Manager, Bussani Mobility Team), Theresa Thomas and her son Rocco (recipients of second annual Peter Zarba Memorial Van Donation Program). Photo courtesy of Able News.