Disabled boy’s wishes are granted on Route 66

The Joplin Globe yesterday published a touching story about sixth-grader Andy Shepherd getting a big dose of Mother Road hospitality as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Andy has suffered from cerebral palsy since infancy. Despite a grim prognosis and numerous surgeries, he’s continued to develop cognitively more than anticipated.

Andy wanted to meet the real-life inspiration to Tow Mater from the 2006 Disney-Pixar film “Cars” and travel along Route 66.

Because the 1951 International boom truck that inspired Mater was in Galena, Kan., many of Andy’s wishes were fulfilled in that small town.

Police Chief Larry Delmont and Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves agreed to escort Andy and his family into town on Route 66 from the Missouri state line, and they did so with lights on the patrol cars flashing.

Renee Charles and Melba Rigg, sisters who own Four Women on the Route, arranged for Andy to see Tow Tater, the old rusty tow truck parked outside the restored service station. The local icon was the inspiration for the Pixar movie character Tow Mater, but it cannot go by that name because of copyright rules.

Mike Wallis, the voice of Sheriff in “Cars” and an active Route 66 historian and advocate, sent his autograph, which Gourley presented to Andy upon his arrival Wednesday afternoon. Mayor Dale Oglesby presented Andy with a silver badge that read “Official Route 66 Tourist,” and a Route 66-themed key that he said belonged to Tow Tater.

Danny and Kathy Anderson, who own the Streetcar Station on Main Street, agreed to host a small Lightning McQueen-inspired party that Gourley put together, and the Galena Dairy Queen contributed a custom-made “Cars” ice cream cake bearing the message, “Have a great adventure, Andy!”

The youngster then headed a few doors north to LaTurner Barbershop, where Bob LaTurner gave him an official Route 66 haircut — a flattop — and helped him add his signature to his wall, a tradition for visitors from as far away as Spain.

The Globe produced this video of Andy getting his flat-top:

Andy also was set to catch a flight from Kansas City to go to Cars Land — also inspired by Route 66 — at Disney California Adventure Park.