Benjamin McDermott is a very happy eight-year-old who loves to talk to everyone he meets.

However, the Warwick youngster has a problem – he is unable to walk.

The son of Shaun and Karyn McDermott, Ben – as his legions of friends know him – was just a year old when he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, for which there is no cure.

“Ben has a neuromuscular disease that causes severe muscle weakness,” Shaun said Sunday inside Johnston War Memorial Park, where Ben was admiring George Arakelian’s Monster Truck. “He relies on a power wheelchair to get around wherever we take him.”

And that, people like Arakelian and his wife Gina Sabitoni-Arekelian want it known, “creates another serious problem for Shaun and Karyn – they do not have a ramp for their van.”

But an important step toward changing that may be taken Sunday if Benjamin’s Charity Car Show is a success.

“We’re urging people of all ages to turn out Sunday,” George said, “because all the proceeds will benefit B’s Mobility Ride and lots of people are pitching in to make this the biggest and most important car shows of the season.”

As an example of just how important Sunday’s show is, Climate Controlled Systems Inc., 94 HJY, Weisman Roofing and Panera Bread have signed on as special sponsors. The show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the spacious grounds of the Governor Sprague Mansion on Cranston Street in Cranston.

The donation will be $20 per car, and organizers will give owners of the first 100 vehicles a special dash plaque.

“We welcome car, truck and motorcycle owners,” said Joey DiTraglia who is helping Shaun organize the ambitious fundraising event. “We’ll have entertainment by Blue Moon Productions as well as raffles and 24 trophies. If people are unable to attend and would like to help Ben purchase the ramp van they can call 401-572-6647 or 401-641-4964.”

Additional information is available online at www.gofundme.com/bwumj4.

The ramp van will cost between $50,000 and $60,000.

“In one way, Ben’s like most kids,” George said. “He’s active in church and the community. He’ll even be hosting a Book Club at Panera Bread this summer to encourage reading. Ben likes the Power Rangers, Marvel superheroes like Captain America and Beyblade … he also enjoys playing board games and watching shows on his tablet.

“The ramp van will make it much, much easier to get Ben to and from appointments,” continued George, who is well-versed in car shows and has signed on to help Ben’s dream come true. “It’s always difficult for Shaun and Karyn to even get Ben out and about to visit family and friends.”

“Despite Ben’s handicap, this is a little boy who is bigger than life,” said Gina, who has also organized and participated in countless car shows.

“Ben’s outlook on life is better than most healthy adults and he has a personality that is so uplifting and inspiring that lots of people can learn from. My husband and I have two healthy children, and that’s why we want to help B’s Mobility Ride get on the road.”