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Friend Surprises Wheelchair-Bound Man With Trip To See The Sea For First Time Ever

Friend Surprises Wheelchair-Bound Man With Trip To See The Sea For First Time Ever

David Thomas, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was able to run his fingers through the sand at Panama City Beach, Florida

Megan Walsh

Megan Walsh

This is the heartwarming moment a 36-year-old man saw the ocean for the first time, thanks to a special trip organised by his friend, Izas Fuller.

David Thomas, from Jefferson County in Alabama, has cerebral palsy and thought he would never be able to visit the ocean and see the water with his own eyes.

But, last Sunday, David's dreams came true when he was able to breathe in the sea air for the first time in a special summer holiday organised by his mate of over 10 years.

Pal Izas, who claims his relationship with David is more 'like brothers', thought of the trip after David commented on some photographs taken by the beach on Izas' own family holiday.

Storyful

Izas told CNN: "He made a comment like, 'I wish I could have went with y'all'. I thought about it and said, 'Man, I'm going to take you one day'."

So, with the help and generosity of friends, top LAD Izas arranged the trip to Panama City Beach in Florida and gathered enough money so that Thomas could rent a specialised wheelchair with tyres that enabled him to go along the sand.

And while a trip to the seaside may seem like a great summer's day to some, this was the first time David had left his home town since he went on a school trip in 1998 so it was even more incredible.

Izas Fuller via Storyfull

In tears, David said: "I just feel so good because I haven't been anywhere since I was 15 years old so I'm having the time of my life right now."

David spent his time on the beach and hanging out with his best friends, who used a bucket to pour sand on his feet so he could feel it run between his toes.

"Every day since I've been here, I've just been enjoying the beach - riding there in my chair and taking it all in," said a teary-eyed David.

He continued: "It just brought tears to my eyes because I never had anyone to take the time to do anything for me because of me being in a wheelchair.

"God has blessed me with some real friends. I'm just the luckiest guy to have him in my life and for him to really want to help me."

Izas posted the video of David going on to the beach for the first time and already it's already been viewed more than 48,000 times.

"I just wanted friends to see it because I had talked about it for a few years. It was amazing that we got that kind of response," said Izas about the viral footage. "It's a blessing."

Featured Image Credit: Storyful

Topics: Florida, Inspirational, Friends