School Bus Driver Makes Good On His Promise To Disabled Student's Mom
February 17, 2017

Thomas Mitchell fills in as a substitute bus driver from time to time for the school system in Clarksville, Tennessee. But he also takes the cake on loving thy neighbor. After watching a mom on his route struggle to wheel her special needs daughter out to the bus stop, he promised to do something about it. And when he showed up at her house one day, the kind school bus driver built a wheelchair ramp that left both mom and daughter in awe!
A Neighbor In Need
Thomas knows his way around a school bus. He works as a mechanic for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS), but also chips in as a fill-in school bus driver when they need him. When driving his route, he noticed Verna DeSpain, a single mother of two. Verna was wrestling to get her 10-year-old daughter's wheelchair down the stone steps of the front porch.
For a year, the mom had been using a flimsy, portable ramp.
RELATED: School Bus Driver Saves The Day When His Students Are Threatened
“The ramp they were using was like a temporary aluminum ramp, like a folding ramp,” Thomas recalled. “It didn’t go all the way to the top step.”
Verna didn't have the money for a better option but admits the one she was using caused a lot of problems.
“It worked better than not having one at all, but we had to put it on the second step and it was flimsy,” she explained. “It wasn’t the best or the safest.”
In fact, Verna even hurt her shoulder carrying her daughter a few months back. And the image of her wrestling with the wheelchair is a visual that stayed with Thomas all day. He mentally promised to do something about it.
“There was just hardly any room for her to maneuver this wheelchair,” he said. “It just didn’t seem right for somebody to have to struggle like that.”
WATCH: School Bus Driver Built A Wheelchair Ramp
So, Thomas gave Verna a call. He offered to build her daughter, Lydia, a wheelchair ramp completely free of charge.
“I was just so shocked,” Verna said. “I got a call from him out of the blue.”
Thomas got to work, designing the plans and recruiting help from a few construction worker buddies. He shared his plans with his local Lowes, and the home improvement store donated all of the materials needed for the job.
RELATED: Quick-Thinking Bus Driver ‘From Heaven’ Saves 22 Kids During Raging Wildfire
The planning stage took a few months. But once everything was set, Thomas showed up at Verna's house with his crew and materials. He knocked on the door, ready to make good on his promise.
"I thought it was going to be all day," Verna said. "So when he told me we were done I was just shocked and actually very impressed.

In just 3 hours, the school bus driver built a wheelchair ramp that left Verna and Lydia in awe (with the help of his buddies, of course!).
"They went above and beyond what we were expecting," Verna gushed.
Verna called Thomas' selfless act a major blessing. In fact, everyone has been blown away by the school bus driver's kindness. But Thomas is just as humble and tender-hearted as you'd expect.
“Everybody should be helping out their neighbor, and so many people just drive by,” he said. “So many people comment, you know, that it’s such a great thing. I challenge them to do the same. There’s no greater feeling.”
WATCH: Bus Driver Talks About The Ramp Project
Now this is putting your God-given talents to work for His purpose. What an inspiration, and we pray everyone who hears this story will take Thomas up on his challenge to do for others!
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
h/t: CBS News
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: School Bus Driver Hunts Down Little Boy Crying In The Freezing Cold
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for When a Friendship Falls Apart - Your Daily Prayer - February 9
If you've walked through losing a friendship, I see you. I know it is painful and, at times question, provoking. But, let Jesus in that space.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for When a Friendship Falls Apart - Your Daily Prayer - February 9
If you've walked through losing a friendship, I see you. I know it is painful and, at times question, provoking. But, let Jesus in that space.
Past Stories
- Teen Wasn't Given Much of a Chance to Live After Car Crash, But Now Celebrating Her 16th Birthday
- Girl Who Died Before the 6th Grade Still Inspires Others With Her Message of 'Love is Everywhere'
- Beloved Young College Student Remembered by Fellow Students After DC Plane Crash
- Stranger Jumps Into Frozen Pond in South Carolina to Save 3-Year-Old Girl
- Man Saves 83-Year-Old Father-in-Law With Parkinson's From the LA Fires in Pacific Palisades
- Woman Felt Like She Was in a Movie When Giving Birth in a Krispy Kreme Parking Lot
- Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
- Woman Who Found an Old Family Photo After LA Fires Makes a Special Connection
- Teenager Who Finds Money at Restaurant, Doesn't Think Twice About Returning it to Owner
- World War Two Veteran Starts Over at 104 After Losing Home in Palisades Fire
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Lola Was Baptized After a Very Difficult Time
- Her 91-Year-Old Grandmother Is Besties With Her Husband and the Relationship Is Beyond Cute
- New Jersey High School Basketball Star Keeps Playing Through Cancer Diagnosis
- Dad Whose Daughter Died After Transplant Gives Kidney to Another Little Girl
- Musician is Reunited With Letterman Jacket, 30 Years After Ordering It Back in High School
- Twin Brothers Both Pop the Question Just Days Apart, Without Planning to Do So
- Girl Scout Saves Her Dad's Life Just 11 Days After Learning CPR
- This 100 Year Old Kentucky Centenarian Works At Home Depot, Offering Great Tips For a Long Life
- Woman Married 82 Years Has a Very Special Disney-Themed 100th Birthday Party
- Man Discovers 46 Year Old Christmas Present in the Wall of His Childhood Home
- 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Police Officers Wallet
- Her Cat Was Missing For 7 Years, But She Finally Came Back Home
- Delta Held a Plane So a Daughter Could Have One Last Goodbye With Her Dying Mother
- Even Through Dementia One Special Phrase Kept a Grandmother Connected to Her Husband
- Mom, Dad, and 6-Year-Old Daughter Are Heroes After Rescuing Woman From Overturned Car
- Couple Receive the Biggest Surprise Blessing After Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
- Old English Sheepdog Who Appears to Have Special Powers, Receives an Award
- 49 Years Later Daughter is Reunited With Birth Mother and Other Family After Taking DNA Test
- 22 Family Members Surprise Grandparents With a Fun Family Sleepover
- Scared Doodle Rescued From Thin Frozen New Jersey Lake With Help From Neighbors Drone
- Woman Caught in a Riptide is Saved by Fisherman's Hook
- Couple Finds Lost Ring In a Snowy Wonderland During Engagement Photo Shoot
- Jimmy Carter, 39th President, Passes Away at 100, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Service
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley Talks About Getting Her Voice Back After Losing It Two Years Ago
- 90-Year-Old From Oklahoma Is Rewarded For Going Out of His Way to Help Others
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
- Little Boy From England With Leukemia Delivers Over 400 Christmas Gifts To Kids At the Hospital
- Gold Star Family Receives a Big Surprise That Will Change Their Lives Forever
- 8-Year-Old With Down Syndrome Is a Hero After Saving Sister From House Fire
- Man Paralyzed At 17 While Snowboarding Has Found True Love and a Wonderful Life
- His Wife Passed Away, Now Their Special Tree is the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Granddaughter Captures Last Words Between Grandparents, Married For 69 Years
Top Artists
Top Music Videos

Jeremy Camp Jeremy Camp's Awe-Inspiring 'No Survivors' Live Performance

Anne Wilson Anne Wilson’s Powerful Live Performance of ‘Strong’

Riley Clemmons Riley Clemmons 'Jesus Cries' Official Music Video

Casting Crowns ‘Good Good Father’ – Stunning Worship From Casting Crowns

Danny Gokey Danny Gokey's Powerful 'Open Up The Gates' Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.