A disability pensioner has been left feeling vulnerable and anxious at night in her Campbell Town home after thieves entered it as she slept on a Sunday night.
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Although they only took Melinda Wellard’s cars keys as they entered the kitchen and her car for a suspected joyride, they stole from her an important means of transport for her medical needs and social connection.
Police called her the following morning to notify her that the car had been written off 60 kilometres away in Jericho.
Ms Wellard, who lives with multiple sclerosis, said she was disgusted and hurt that the heartless thieves would steal a car that obviously belonged to a person living with a disability.
Her walking stick and disability parking card were on clear display in his Nissan Tiida.
“I really feel violated that someone entered my home,” she said.
“Even worse, there was no respect for my disability.
“Taking my car is like taking a wheelchair from another person with a disability.
“I feel like a prisoner in my unit without it.”
Her mother, Colleen Wellard, said her and her husband were now constantly worried about Ms Wellard being alone in her unit since the theft.
Ms Wellard said she would have to wait for at least two weeks until she knew what the insurance payout would be for the wrecked car.
She said the company had advised her they would only pay the current value of the car and she had fears that it would be enough to purchase a car that suited her needs.
Police told the family that a number of cars were stolen from the area on August 7.
