Mobility and accessibility are vital to the disabled community. People with mobility issues rely heavily on various forms of transportation to carry out their daily activities, including going to work, visiting family and friends, and running errands. Unfortunately, sometimes mobility is taken away from them when theft occurs.
This is what happened to 61-year-old Debbra Treat from Longview, Washington. Treat has a mobility disability that restricts her ability to walk long distances. She can only walk a few miles a day, making it difficult to carry out her daily activities. Her electric tricycle was her only form of transportation, allowing her to carry out her daily activities independently.
However, on the 22nd of May 2021, her electric tricycle was stolen. Treat was devastated as she heavily relied on the trike for her everyday activities. The trike was more than just a means of transportation for her; it was her freedom and independence.
When news of the theft spread through the Longview community, businesses and individuals stepped in to help Treat. The community rallied behind her in support, offering donations and assistance to help her get back on her feet. One of the community members even created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to purchase a new electric trike for her.
The magnitude of community support is awe-inspiring. It is heart-warming to see people come together to uplift someone in need, especially for the disabled community. The stolen electric trike incident raises concerns about theft and accessibility for people with mobility issues.
It is a sad reality that mobility devices such as electric trikes and wheelchairs are often targets for theft. Thieves may see these devices as a quick, easy-selling commodity, not realizing that they are vital to people's independence and freedom.
Theft of these mobility devices takes away the dignity and independence of disabled individuals. For people with mobility disabilities, these devices are more than just machines; they are a means of moving from one place to another, which is vital for their daily lives.
As a community, it is our responsibility to ensure that individuals with mobility disabilities have access to undisturbed movement by taking measures to protect their mobility devices. One way to reduce the risk of theft is by making sure the devices are locked and secured at all times. Disabled individuals also need to have access to secure parking spaces where they can park their mobility devices while shopping or visiting other places.
In conclusion, the theft of Debbra Treat's electric tricycle highlights the issues people with mobility disabilities face. It highlights the need for community support as well as measures to protect mobility devices from theft. We must continually advocate for accessibility of public spaces and support policies that promote mobility devices' safety and security. Every individual deserves access to safe and reliable transportation, regardless of their disabilities.