Car theft has cruel twist

Press, 25 May 1989, Page 3

Car theft has cruel twist

By

NEIL CLARKSON

A Linwood High School student whose mobility is hampered through bone cancer has lost part of his independence after the theft of his car. Rodney Chapman, aged 18, has appealed for the return of the immaculate Mark I automatic Ford Cortina given to him by his grandfather two years ago. Rodney, who lost his right leg above the knee through osteosarcoma, parked the car near school, in Aidwins Road, on Tuesday morning. He left school at 2.30 p.m. intending to drive to the limbs centre at Burwood Hospital, but found the car had been stolen. The thieves not only broke in but removed a steering wheel clamp to drive off in the cream car registration number DY 1217. Rodney said last evening the loss of the car, which was recently fitted with a reconditioned motor worth $lOOO, has hampered his independence. “I have got to rely on other people to get me around,” he said early last evening. Rodney’s father picked him up after the theft and took him to the limbs centre where a plaster cast was made of his stump in the first step towards getting a new artificial lower leg. His existing artificial limb does not fit properly and forces Rodney to limp. The car is insured but Rodney, does not believe the cover will be enough to replace it with an automatic in such pristine condition.