SOUTH BEND -- It's a sound Marianna Teller and her husband Joseph have been waiting to hear for a long time.

"It was surreal because it was like a dream coming true that something thought only the most remote, miraculous circumstances would we be able to have this," said Marianna Teller.

The Tellers' son Andrew suffers from cerebral palsy. And having a chairlift makes it easier to move him in and out of the house.

"One of the biggest challenges is just getting there, being able to just show up," said Teller.

But getting this chairlift was a challenge in itself. The Tellers were supposed to get a deal on one in March. But scrap metal thieves stole it from a non-profit organization called Wheelchair Help in Elkhart.

"It was just like, uh, what are we going to do," said Teller.

After word got out about what happened, donations started pouring into the organization.

"A lady from Elkhart called and said my mother has passed away and we have a lift that we're not going to be able to use. So she was available to give that to wheelchair help at an affordable cost," said Wheelchair Help President Darlene Lidy.

The Tellers say they can't thank the community enough for their generosity -- generosity that has made a difference in their lives forever.

"It's a gift that's going to have a life-long impact of happiness and opportunities for my son. And as a mother that means everything to me,” said Teller.

Wheelchair Help is always accepting donations so they can continue to help disabled people in the community. If you’d like to donate call 295-2230.