Joseph Kingsley, a disabled veteran, talks of his electric scooter that was stolen from the garage of his Sierra Vista home. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Posted on 12/17/2008 3:56:35 PM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Joseph “Sonny” Kingsley has lost his freedom.
For nearly two years now, the 69-year-old Air Force veteran has depended on a four-wheel electric scooter as his major source of mobility, using it to run errands, move about his neighborhood and go to the park.
But that changed when someone burglarized his garage, taking the scooter along with an oxygen tank as well as the family’s garage door opener. The burglary happened nearly a month ago, on Nov. 20. Joseph Kingsley, a disabled veteran, talks of his electric scooter that was stolen from the garage of his Sierra Vista home. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
“I really can’t get around without it because my legs are partially paralyzed and I’m on oxygen 24 hours a day,” said a frustrated Kingsley. “The person who did this not only stole my scooter, they stole my freedom along with it.”
Kingsley suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and degenerative disc disease in his lower back, a condition that has left him with limited use of his legs.
“Whoever stole it was just plain brazen,” he said. “The person walked right into my garage not long after my oxygen was delivered. I had fallen asleep for about 30 minutes, and when I went into the garage to get a soda, the scooter was missing.”
Kingsley immediately notified the Sierra Vista Police Department and filed a report. Because the scooter is valued at about $5,000, the crime is considered a felony. He also notified the Veterans Administration, the organization that gave him the scooter. Despite his health problems, Kingsley says he’s “fortunate to have such a close and loving family.” He has lived with his sister, Myrna (Chicky) Mueller and brother-in-law, Bob Mueller, for about 20 years.
The scooter is described as a burgundy-colored Rascal, with gray seats and the word “Rascal” written in gold letters. It has a basket mounted on the front. At the time it was stolen the scooter carried two flags, an American flag and a POW/MIA flag. It has a plug on the back so it can be charged.
The flags are easily removed, and it’s likely the scooter no longer has the flags on it.
“I’m hoping someone reads this article and recognizes the scooter,” said Chicky Mueller. “I was so upset when I found out it had been stolen. It’s not like he can take a walk around the block whenever he feels like it. Without the scooter, he can’t get around at all.”
Joseph Kingsley is offering a small reward for the return of his scooter. If anyone has information, call 458-2260 or contact him via e-mail flatlinejoe@live.com.
Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.
Very sad. Sending prayers to this good man. The things some (bad) people will do to other (good) human beings. Upsetting.
That could be me, dammit. Until you lose some mobility you don’t know how precious it is. Those electric scooters are not cheap.
This happens all the time; especially in assisted living facilities and NHs. Some thieving POS will be running ads trying to sell it or visiting pawn shops with it soon enough. Probably be caught in the act. Anyway, a wise DME dealer in that area should step up and and donate another unit to him. The positive publicity garnered would far outweigh the cost. I suspect some wise provider will do so.
The ex is most likely a Democrat.
Just like the rest of us all, under the Obamanation.
One thing about the article is puzzling, though.
Without the scooter, he can’t get around at all.
But then...
I had fallen asleep for about 30 minutes, and when I went into the garage to get a soda, the scooter was missing.”
How did he get into that garage do you think?
Perhaps a small hand wheel-chair.
Whomever stole this hero’s scooter is a dredge of society.
That high up on the food-chain?
Scooters are indicated primarily for outside mobility...many disabled use them as street machines—hence the flags. If he was so limited that he couldn’t ambulate round the home he likely would have a power wheelchair, rather than a scooter. COPD would preclude walking great distances outside but not inside his home.
Could be.
Poetic justice is there, believe me.
He may be like me, using a wheelchair for housework but using two canes to walk short distances. OR ... The electric may be the way the Vet gets in and out of shopping, but uses an arm powered job at home. Have you ever tried to wheel a chair up an incline, with something to carry? As someone posted earlier, losing mobility is no picnic and those in the midst of it try everything they can to keep what mobility they have.
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