Coleman Medcoff was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor a year ago. Now, volunteers help him restore the classic car of the 15-year-old's dream.
Love at first sight
Before the pandemic happened, the teen from Parma, Idaho, fell in love at first sight when he came across the 1964 Mercury Monterey. Before he found the car he named "Maria," he had scoured online ads as he was looking for the perfect car to rebuild.
Earlier this year, Medcoff told CBS affiliate KBOI that he met Maria off the side of the road when he saw a sign that says she is for sale. After annoying his parents to buy him a classic car, he purchased Maria for $1,500. He believes that it was fate that brought her to him.
See also: Teacher Used Own Money to Make Schooling Safe and Fun for Kids
The teen stays strong for parents and other children.
While Medcoff was trying to give new life to the classic car he bought, he was fighting for his life. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2019, he is currently having chemotherapy to fight it. His father, Josh Medcoff, told NBC affiliate KTVB said that the chemo in the last four months started to get to his son.
He believes that it wears his son more than Medcoff shows it. The teen stays strong for his parents and the other little kids in the hospital. He added that it was tough seeing the pain and everything that his son goes through. He explained that as Medcoff's parent, he wants to fix and take care of the pain that his son feels.
See also: High Schoolers Turned Side Project into Humanitarian Tool
Refused to receive charity
Scott Reynolds of Harold's Auto Body heard how much fixing Maria meant to Medcoff. He offered help to fix his car. Reynolds reached out to the "Make-A-Wish Foundation" when he discovered that the car needed many repairs. He has hoped the organization could help them start the repair project.
However, Medcoff refused to receive help from the foundation. The family friend, Reynolds, told KTVB that the selfless teen said that he does not want to take charity. Medcoff explained that he sees little kids with tubes and no hair who are throwing up and sick every week that he goes to chemo. He said that the children need to go to Disneyland and Hawaii more than he needs his car.
See also: Mom Kept Cracked Duck Egg in Bra for 35 Days and Safely Hatches It [Heartwarming Story]
Volunteers help make the teen's dream come true
Medcoff's selflessness inspired Reynolds, who connected with people in town to help make the teen's dreams come true. The shop surprise-picked up Medcoff's Monterey in February to begin a full restoration. Reynold's told KTVB that he was amazed by the people working for him because they rendered thousands of hours of sacrifice.
He believes that the time and money that they spent to change someone's life was worth it. As of writing, the GoFundMe page has already raised $7,900. Medcoff said that when he finally drives his car, it will mean everything in the world for him so that he will give something back to the people come September, the tentative schedule for full restoration of his car.
