WATCH: A Chilliwack family is appealing for the return of their daughter’s special wheelchair after it was stolen along with their minivan earlier this week. Jeremy Hunka reports.
UPDATE: On Sunday the RCMP notified the Kew family that Laura’s wheelchair was found. Charlene Kew, Laura’s mom, says someone had watched all the news, “felt bad” and told the RCMP where they could recover the chair. Charlene says the chair is not in the best condition externally but most likely can be repaired. They are having Laura’s team along with their chair mechanic look at the chair and hope to have it up and running in a few weeks.
The donations made to the CKNW Orphans Fund for the family will be returned but the one gift the family says they cannot return is the support of the community. The Kew family is appreciative of the love and support from the community.
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“My heart sank. There’s really no words to describe what I felt,” says Kevin Kew, who had his van stolen on Sunday night.
It wasn’t the van that caused heartbreak for Kevin – it was what was inside. Because while Chilliwack RCMP were able to recover the van the next day, a power wheelchair, specifically outfitted for his six-year-old daughter Laura, was gone.
Laura has cerebral palsy and relies on the wheelchair to move around. Now, the family is trying to find $10,000 to get a new wheelchair, but they admit it’s a struggle.
“That’s something that a family of three, and one more on the way, doesn’t have in our back pocket,” says Charlene Kew, Laura’s mom.
“It’s definitely heartbreaking….to see Laura’s independence and free will taken away.”
Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the person who took the wheelchair to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact them, or if they wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-847 (TIPS).
Laura’s family hopes for a positive resolution.
“The van is one thing, but the wheelchair – leave it somewhere, call anonymously,” says Charlene.
“Then we can at least have it back for her.”
A GoFundMe page set up for Laura and has now raised more than $18,000. The funds will go toward buying a new wheelchair for her. Laura’s family says they’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity.