A man whose disability trike was stolen by a joyrider in York has issued a heartfelt message after it was recovered.
Jamie Wood, who has secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, was left stranded after the specially adapted trike was stolen from outside his office at the University of York on Monday.
An appeal on social media led to the trike being tracked across York, to Blossom Street and then the Foxwood / Acomb area.
The good news is the trike has now been recovered, although it is missing some key parts.
North Yorkshire Police told YorkMix that no arrests have yet been made in relation to the investigation.
Jamie, a professor of mathematical modelling at the university, has told us of how much the theft had affected him – and how much the public’s response meant.
This is what he said.
‘People have been amazingly supportive’
“I’m pleased to update you with the news that my trike has been recovered by the police. Its not in a rideable state at the moment but it is hopefully repairable and I can get moving on it once more.
“I’m hopeful that the police will be able to take action against those responsible. It’s been a painful few days and has made me reflect.
“As my condition has deteriorated it has made me realise how much getting out and about as a disabled person relies on trust: trust that people will help you, that they’ll pick you up when you are down.
“And I don’t mean this as a figure of speech, I have been bodily picked up more times than I can count by strangers. I have been scooped up in strangers vans. People have been amazingly supportive.
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“I want to thank everyone who has helped me, or just smiled and let me pass or turn in front of them. All this increases my confidence to go out and push myself.
“But I hid at home the day after my trike was taken, my confidence dented. But I want to thank you all for the response I have had on social media.
“With the help of close friends through to total strangers I was able to track the trike, reach out to a wide audience and give excellent information to the police.
“I have had enumerable offers of help from trike loans and repairs and to the taxi driver who switched his meter off (and thought I didn’t notice). The police and university security were brilliant and have given me real support.
“I am not going to ask for you to donate to a crowdfunder. Instead I want to thank everyone for their willingness to donate their time and thoughts to helping people.
“Getting out is a massive challenge for people who are less able and people who support disabled people to do this are amazing.
“So if you do wish to donate I would ask you instead to consider piloting a tandem for a visually impaired person for the amazing charity open country, riding a cargo bike for the bike belles cycling without age scheme to enable an older person to go for a ride, supporting a disabled rider on a long ride with another amazing charity, empowered people, or just to smile and support a disabled rider continue on their way.
“There are more of us than most people realise, and it is not always obvious.”
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