Mariah gets her wheels [The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.]

Sept. 28--SUMMIT -- Mariah Scott says the reality of finally having her own van won't get to sink for at least another month, although she smiled like any other new car owner Friday when she and family members took delivery of her new Toyota van.

"I'm still shocked, I guess. I've waited a long time," said Scott, 22, of Flatwoods, who was born with no arms or legs because of a rare disorder called tetra-amelia.

People who know Scott and have admired her approach to life have been pulling together, with the help of the Bellefonte Foundation, to buy her a van specially equipped to allow her to take control. She passed the written exam years ago and has since practiced driving every chance she gets, although those chances are rare.

To drive, Scott went to Fayette County with her grandmother, Edna Callihan, to access a specially equipped van. She has also trained with Katy Greene of the University of Kentucky Driving Program through the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Earlier this year, Scott took the driving test in Fayette County and passed with a perfect score to receive her driver's license. All the while, she is also studying for her bachelor of education degree in elementary/special education at Morehead State University.

Fannin Toyota founder Gary Fannin made a point of spending time with Scott, her brother, Hunter, and her aunt, Charon Fannin, as part of his own 72nd birthday celebration while everyone waited for the last of the paperwork to be approved Friday afternoon. Fannin said he's heard from many in the community who have tremendous respect for Scott.

"She is an idol to a lot of kids," he told an employee who had hunted him down to sign a stack of papers.

"I'm just tickled to death for you, honey. I've had a lot of calls from people telling me what a good girl you are," Fannin said, adding he made sure everyone who touched Scott's vehicle along the way gave her the best possible price.

"You'll be a definite inspiration," said Chuck Charles, who was on hand to wish Scott well and present a considerable check from the Bellefonte Foundation to cover the amount needed to get her behind the wheel. Adding the foundation's funds to the money raised within the community "fits our mission well," Charles said.

Scott's van will need modifications costing up to $100,000, which will be provided by the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Scott will have the responsibility of maintaining the van and keeping the insurance paid.

The soon-to-be driver said her new van is perfect, even though she will have to wait at least a month before it has been properly modified. The toughest part of selecting the vehicle may have been picking the right color, she said.

"It was like silver at first, then I saw the black one and fell in love with it I guess," she said with a giggle.

Scott, whose goal is to be an elementary special education teacher at a school in Russell or Raceland, said she will use the van for transportation to and from school and eventually to drive herself to work each day.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at [email protected] or (606) 326-2651.

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