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Gift Of Van Opens Doors For Young Man With Disability

News Channel 8 KATY HENNIG

Corey Burrowes will be able to drive to classes at St. Petersburg College in a van donated by Bud Williams, the owner of Wheelchair Transport Service in Pinellas County.

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By ROD CHALLENGER

News Channel 8

Published: November 19, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - Corey Burrowes had NFL dreams.

A former star wide receiver at Tarpon Springs High School, Burrowes was a scholarship player at Georgia Military College when those dreams ended during a practice session in 2002.

Burrowes took a hard hit while running drills and injured his spine. He knew right away something was wrong.

"I was just looking at my hands because they were throbbing so bad, and my whole body was just throbbing," said Burrowes, who now is 26.

He has been confined to a wheelchair since that day and now has a new dream. He wants to get a business degree so he can start a business of his own.

First, though, he needed a way to get to St. Petersburg College, where he has a scholarship. He is scheduled to start classes in January.

Bud Williams, the owner of Wheelchair Transport Service in Pinellas County, heard about Burrowes' situation and gave him one of the company's used vans.

He has donated other vehicles to people. He says the donations allow people with handicaps to "continue on and live a life that is as close to you and I as possible, and that's what touches us."

Burrowes already has started taking lessons to earn a special license so he can drive the van, which must be equipped with hand controls.

"I have heard the stories of how it has launched people -- young people -- into the ability to go to school, like Corey," Williams said.

After he gets his degree, Burrowes would like to coach football.

"That's my love, watching the kids grow up and become something," he said.

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