PUSHBIKE THEFT DENIES LEN HIS INDEPENDENCE
A RECOVERING paraplegic says he has had his independence taken from him all over again after heartless thieves stole his only mode of transport – for the third time.
Suffering from the debilitating condition cauda equina syndrome (CES) which left him wheelchair bound in 2008, Len Carmody has slowly worked to regain control of his legs.
Because he is only able to walk a short distance because of damage to his spinal cord, Mr Carmody relies heavily on the help of his specialised bike.
However, last Tuesday that bike, which had been chained up beside his son’s business at Main Beach, disappeared. All that remained was a broken chain.
This was the third time in a year Mr Carmody’s bike had been stolen.
He facing forking out about $2000 to replace it because his insurer has refused to cover him – for one too many thefts.
“The bike is made to ride in the snow, so it can go down to the low gears I need so I can do the things I used to do,’’ he said.
“Surfing was one of my great passions before, but I can’t swim in the surf any more, let alone get on the sand. Riding the bike on the sand was the closest I could get. It was good for my mental health and rehab. It is at a point where I can’t leave it anywhere. It was completely locked up so I’m not sure what else I could do.
“They cut my lock. I guess they want a bike with big fat tyres. They don’t know that is what I need.”
The former shopfitter said he had to submit a police report each time.
“To the person who took my bike, I would like to say I hope you never have to have something happen in your life where your health and your independence are taken away,’’ he said.