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Teen with CP dreams of having his own car
Published October 27, 2009
“To dream ... the impossible dream ...”
The opening line of the song, “The Impossible Dream,” from the musical, “The Man of La Mancha,” might describe the situation for 17-year-old Jessie Slaton.
While many teenagers dream of attaining celebrity status as a singer, athlete or film star, Jessie, born with cerebral palsy, has a simple dream. He wants a car of his own.
The extent of Jessie’s CP makes driving a car impossible, but his dream of having a special car designated as his, capable of transporting him to local drag racing and race car events, is possible.
Jessie’s stepfather, Jeff Slaton, himself now disabled from an auto accident, is attempting to make Jessie’s dream a reality.
In a garage near U.S. 431 near Mountainboro, under a thin layer of dust, sits a stripped down 1970 Chevrolet Nova. It has no engine and its interior is gutted.
Jessie’s interest in racecars and dragsters resulted from Jeff’s experience. “When I was growing up,” Jeff said, “my brother-in-law had a dirt-track car he ran down in Green Valley. He also built street hotrods, and I always hung out with him.
With misting eyes, Jeff said, “When Jesse was first born, I had difficulty accepting he wasn’t mine.
“But after the first time I held him, and he fell asleep with me on the couch, ‘bam,’” he said, clapping his hands together, “we were like that.”
“When I started restoring old cars - I done it on the side,” he said, “I didn’t have a shop, I’d do them under a shade tree.”
Jessie spent a great deal of time with Jeff under that shade tree.
Jeff said, “Jessie just wouldn’t be quiet. Everything I did, Jesse would be there with me.”
Jesse, unable to express himself verbally, communicates with audible sounds and gestures. The handsome teenager with wavy dark hair speaks volumes with his expressive blue-green eyes, infectious smile and laugh.
Even though a divorce agreement generally allows visits only twice a month, it is obvious Jessie and Jeff share a mutually satisfying and loving relationship.
Knowledge that a visit to the garage was eminent, Jesse began smiling and uttering sounds of excitement in expectation of seeing the Nova.
At the garage, Jesse’s fondness for the Nova was obvious as he and his wheelchair were placed along side it.
Carefully raising his right arm, with a slight shuddering movement, his hand caressed the front-left fender, like he might stroke a beloved pet.
Jesse hopes he will one day be chauffeured to the races in a serviceable Nova.
In the meantime, Jeff does the best he can with donations of parts and other assistance to make Jesse’s dream come true.
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