BEAVERCREEK — A local business owner took on a months long project to help a dream turn into reality for a man battling a nervous system disease.
Steven Studebaker, who has been fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for five years, had a dream of spending the time he has left with the women he loves riding around in the car that he adores
The car has been in Studebaker’s family for over 30 years, and he wasn’t going to let his battle with ALS take it away from him. So with a little help, he decided to remake it.
Matt Miller, who owns Carl’s Body and Towing Shop, was ready to take on the job.
“I said lets do it. We got the guys together and we brought it in. It got to be a bigger project than we thought, but we worked through it,” Miller said.
Between a ramp and other customized features, Miller’s team spent about one year taking Studebaker’s dream and turning it into something tangible.
Studebaker’s team also includes his wife, who has been by his side for each step of the renovation project since they started it in 2018.
“This is a way that we can really give back to the ALS association and people who have had this horrible disease in their lives. We will put the ALS awareness signs on the sides so wherever we go we raise awareness,” Michelle, Studebaker’s wife, said.
Studebaker says this project is a tribute to his own determination, to his dad and also to anyone else in a similar fight.
“I just want to show other people out there with whatever disability they have that if they have dreams and have good people around to help they can accomplish dreams like I have accomplished mine,” Studebaker said.
With just a few minor details remaining, Studebaker is looking forward to touring all the car shows he can handle.
Studebaker says the car itself will leave a legacy that goes far beyond his own life, a legacy meant to inspire others.
“It is going to become a tribute truck to all the people who have lost their lives to ALS. I will have it where people who had loved one pass, they will sign boards on the inside to say their loved ones won’t be forgotten,” Studebaker said.
In total, the renovations were worth fifty-thousand dollars. However, Miller’s shop ultimately got it done for about twenty-thousand.