Tulsa Mechanic, Community Rally To Give 21-Year-Old With Rare Disease Gift Of Adventure

A young man with a rare, life-threatening disease got a surprise from strangers thanks to the help of a Tulsa mechanic.

Corbin Norcom has a fatal disease, and he wants to make the most of the time he has left by seeing the world.

Matt Parker and Corbin's relationship began in Corbin’s apartment parking lot in Tulsa, when Matt, a mobile mechanic, came to fix Corbin's car.

Their friendship quickly blossomed, and Corbin is now getting a new car and an adventure of a lifetime.

Matt met Corbin just a week ago and learned about his condition.

"You've got to keep a positive mindset,” said Corbin in a video Matt posted on social media.

Corbin is 21 years old and two years ago was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, a rare disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system and spinal cord.

"Once I had seen Corbin and how much help he needed, I felt like honestly, there wasn't anything I wasn't going to do to help him,” said Matt.

Matt was so inspired, that he posted a video of Corbin on social media and even bought Corbin a mobility scooter.

Matt and his wife then started asking for donations for Corbin.

"If it motivates me, it's definitely going to motivate other people, I felt like, so I wanted other people to see that,” said Matt.

The couple raised $35,000 in a few days to get Corbin a new car.

"Just breathe,” said Matt. “We're friends, buddy. That's what friends do for each other."

Then, came an even bigger surprise.

"I almost passed out,” said Corbin. “It was a lot to take in."

The couple gave Corbin an RV so he and his girlfriend, Anna, could travel the country.

"I don't have a lot of time left, and it's just something that I wanted to do,” said Corbin.

The new friends are making their time matter.

"Corbin has a choice of being inside crying his life away until it's gone, or he has a choice to live his life,” said Matt.

Corbin said he is grateful for the kindness of strangers and cannot wait to pay it forward.

"It shows you there's still good people in this world,” said Corbin.

Next, Matt and Corbin plan to surprise somebody with a car giveaway, and then take their families on a trip to Branson.

You can donate to Corbin’s GoFundMe here. It will help with his travel expenses.