Even when the the skies are dark and cloudy, Robert and Nancy Mendola still see the sunshine in the face of their son Andrew.

"He's a happy kid,” said Robert. “His main thing is that he wants to be loved, be held."

Nine-year-old Andrew is a very special boy with many special needs. He was born with a slew of medical disorders, including hydrocephalus, which is the excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain.

Andrew can't speak and he can't walk. But, he sure can break the sound barrier with his delightful laugh.

"He loves to be touched,” said Nancy. “He loves to have his hand held and rubbed and if you get him really excited, he kicks and he kicks to where he kicks his socks off."

Because of his fragile condition, Andrew needs 24 hour health care. In fact, in his very young life, he's had 36 hospitalizations and more than one dozen surgeries.

"I look back and I think how did we do it,” said Nancy. “There were times when I would sit and cry because I couldn't help him."

The Mendolas still can't help their son with everything. There's an abundance of love and attention, but a lack of money for a few things Andrew needs to significantly improve his quality of life, including a wheelchair accessible van.

The Mendolas have a minivan, but it's a lease, which means they can't install a wheelchair ramp for Andrew. They need their own wheelchair accessible van, but a vehicle like that costs upwards of $30,000.

With Nancy working as a hairdresser and Robert staying home most of the time to supervise Andrew's care, $30,000 is way beyond the family’s financial grasp.

And, even heavier on their hearts is the ordeal Robert and Nancy are forced to put their son through every time he needs to get to his doctors' appointments. Andrew has to be carried in and out of the van and the constant maneuvering has taken a huge toll on his body.

It's why the Mendolas came to the Local 10 Care Force, hoping a kind benefactor will come forward and help them help their only son.

"Andrew is a miracle; the doctor told us he wasn't going to live past one year and he's over 9 years old now and I don't see him going anywhere soon,” said Nancy. “So we need this for the rest of his life."

If you’d like to help the Mendolas with a donation toward the purchase of a new, wheelchair accessible van, please email us at careforce@local10.com.