Thief pedals away with woman's wheelchair

The owner of the chair, an amputee, had customarily parked it outside while she worked in a flower shop.

By SHARON TUBBS

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 29, 2000

CLEARWATER -- Sam Morris was taking out the trash when he saw an "older-looking" man riding a bike and pulling a wheelchair alongside.

But by the time Morris realized what was happening, it was too late. The culprit had pedaled off with Linda Link's wheelchair.

Link works part time at the Flower Market, next door to the auto repair shop where Morris works. Each day she would park her chair just outside the door before entering the flower shop where she sits at a table most of the day, preparing plants for flower arrangements.

Because of Thursday's theft, Link will have a difficult time getting around. Her right leg was amputated seven years ago.

"I'm just still flabbergasted," Link said. "I can't believe that someone would take somebody else's wheelchair."

Link said she doesn't have the money or adequate insurance to buy a new wheelchair, which could cost about $600. She still has a set of crutches but said she can't use them frequently because they put too much stress on her knee.

The 43-year-old former construction worker and hotel housekeeper said she lost her leg because of complications from two strokes. Since then, Link said, she has gotten by on about $500 a month in Social Security plus the roughly $6 an hour she makes at the shop.

With that, she barely maintains the trailer where she lives near Largo and the 1988 Oldsmobile she is still able to drive. Link drives to work, then uses the wheelchair to get from the parking lot to the store.

She bought the used chair about two years ago for $300, Link said. It was lightweight and easy to handle.

The theft only compounds problems for Link, who said the past few months have been tough. Link said she recently discovered that the flooring in her trailer was rotted and had to be replaced -- another hefty expense.

She has worked on and off at the flower shop during peak seasons for years. "She's just a very hard-working woman," said owner Darlene Cagle.

Link reported the wheelchair theft to Clearwater police, but had heard nothing from officers Friday morning.

She checked a nearby pawnshop, but did not find the wheelchair there. With little to go on, Link said she doubts police will find it, either.

Morris said he didn't get a good look at the man because he was a block away. "I just saw a man on a bicycle pulling it (the wheelchair) with his hand."

Skycrest Baptist Church, where Link often worships, loaned Link one of the wheelchairs used at the church to help elderly members get around.

The heavier model chair is not what Link is used to, however.

"I get around really good," Link said. "But my wheelchair is one of the biggest things I need."

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