Help to modify new car
THE story of a disabled man’s specially modified car being stolen has taken a surprising and positive turn.
Brodie Cook had his white Holden VT Commodore taken from his Kaitangata property on Tuesday night.
It was later found burnt out at the Wangaloa domain.
The car was specially modified to have a left foot accelerator to enable Mr Cook to drive because he suffers from complex regional pain syndrome. It is a longterm disorder of the nervous system which primarily affected his right leg.
Since reading about the theft of Mr Cook’s vehicle, Taieri Automotive owner Steve Grant contacted the Otago Daily Times and offered to cover the cost of modifying Mr Cook’s replacement car so the accelerator was on the left side.
It was ‘‘not a nice story to read’’ and this was an opportunity to give back and make it right for Mr Cook, Mr Grant said.
One part of Mr Grant’s trade was to modify vehicles to accommodate for disabilities.
‘‘Obviously [the thief] must have known when they got into [the car] that it wasn’t set up normally and yet they took it anyway.’’
When Mr Cook learnt of Mr Grant’s offer, he said he was stunned.
He was thankful and it was ‘‘extremely appreciated’’.
‘‘For someone to give their own time, effort and money . . . to make me independent again is beyond words.’’
Mr Cook was insured and the vehicle could be replaced but to convert it to a leftsided accelerator would be a significant cost.
‘‘That was the one thing I was most upset about. It’s not easy to get done and it’s not that cheap.’’
Living in Kaitangata meant he regularly had to travel to Balclutha and to transport his three children.
Without his vehicle he had to rely on others to get around.
Being able to have a car he could use would restore his independence, he said.
Mr Cook was quite upset as the thief had broken into his house and removed the keys while he was sleeping.
‘‘Thank God the kids were away.’’
It was not the sort of thing he expected to happen in a place like Kaitangata.
Constable Rochelle Gordon, of Balclutha, said police were still investigating the theft and no new information had been provided to them.
The public were asked to call the police if they had seen anything suspicious or seen the vehicle being driven around the Clutha district on Tuesday night.
A Balclutha police (03) 4180203 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.
samuel.white@odt.co.nz