Theft of Bicycle Puts Life of Disabled Lubbock Man, 49, on Hold

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 05-03-04 | Davidson, Sarah

[Theodore R.]

Theft puts life on hold BY SARAH DAVIDSON AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

$450.

Pocket change to some.

But for Robert McDonald, it means months of scrimping and saving.

And losing his independence.

Thursday morning, the 49-year-old Lubbock man noticed his red '98 Huffy bike was missing from his back porch.

The replacement cost: about $450. Money he doesn't have.

McDonald has dystonia, a neurological movement disorder. Unable to drive, he depends on public transportation for some travel. But his three-wheeled bicycle, complete with a large hauling basket, was his lifeline for chores associated with living independently.

"He doesn't like to ask for help; he likes to do it himself," McDonald's sister, Mary Bailey, said Saturday.

According to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, McDonald's disorder is characterized by involuntary contractions, which force certain parts of the body into abnormal, sometimes painful, movements or postures.

A brain stimulator was implanted in February to allow McDonald to hold up his head.

Vocal limitations make communicating with others difficult; he makes conversation with gestures or vocal noises.

Despite McDonald's condition, his determination remains strong.

He has been living independently for nearly 20 years, at Gatewood Apartments for almost two years.

He is employed by Goodwill Industries, attends a nearby church and visits the doctor on his own.

The things he can't do now, without his special bicycle, are chores: simple things like going to the self-serve laundry about 20 blocks away. The bike's basket made carrying large loads of clothes manageable.

"He's a super-nice guy, and he doesn't give anybody trouble," Wash Brite Laundry employee Rachel Hardwicke said. "It's pathetic what happened; he uses that bike for everything."

McDonald was devastated when he realized his bike was stolen, Bailey said. He informed the apartment complex leasing office and his sister about the theft with a written note.

"My bike is gone," he wrote.

A police report was filed, and the complex's maintenance staff was asked to keep an eye out for the bike.

"I'd love to be able to find who took it from him," Gatewood Apartment leasing agent Melinda Young said. "Everyone knows what his bike looks like."

Neighbor Sherry Weber said, "I have been worried about him; I am spit-fire mad."

None of the bicycle dealers in town carry the adult-size three-wheeled bike, but one can be special-ordered.

Paul's Parts personnel said the bike would cost roughly $450 — about $100 more than McDonald paid for his bike six years ago.

But he'd just as soon get back his old bicycle.

A note in front of his door reads, "Will you give me back my bike, three-wheel bike?"

[Theodore R.]

Thieves are no respecter of persons.

[Dick Grayson]

That's appalling!! Some D-bag out there probably thought it was a barrel of laughs too.

[saveliberty]

As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights. Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.

James Madison, National Gazette Essay, March 27, 1792

[ClearCase_guy]

John Kerry stole it. With three-wheels, there is less likelihood that Kerry will fall and embarrass himself again. Just like a Dem to steal from "the little people".

[LOC1]

Somehow, one might be certain that this is all Bush's fault.

[joesnuffy]

Pretty low-life thing to do...hopefully some honest person will set up a fund to help the guy get a new bike..or the thief has a change of heart...and brings it back in one piece...

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

It's a shame that in George W. Bush's America, people are forced to choose between spending money on food, transportation and medicine.

Of course, they had to do that in Clinton's Administration as well, but that doesn't count because he said he cared.

[Lockbar]

I bet this bike shows up on Ebay with the tag line: "Famous Bike, Stolen from Handicapped guy in Texas!" The thief might get $600-$700 for it.

[jocon307]

"John Kerry stole it. With three-wheels, there is less likelihood that Kerry will fall and embarrass himself again."

LOL, seriously, the smart thing for JFK to do would be buy this fellow a new bike. A really nice one. Oh yeah, and a lock and chain.

[cyclotic]

I feel for this guy. One of my personal heroes is a guy in Michigan. He's severely handicapped, but rides a three wheeler...everywhere. Put several thousand miles a year in. Does all the charity rides and shows that a handicap is no impediment when you have the will and attitude.

[martin_fierro]

Man, that really sucks. Can't imagine why someone would want to steal one of those 3-wheelers.

[KarlInOhio]

Bicycle? Bi = 2. Hey Sarah, there is a perfectly good English word for what you call a "three-wheeled bicycle." That word is tricycle.

As for the scum who stole it, just take him out and beat him when he is found.

[Captain Rhino]

Read the article. Called the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal number ((806) 762-8844) to see if I could help out with a donation. The reporter that wrote the article is a weekend stringer. Need to call back after 9:30 am CST to talk with the weekday city desk reporter. Will post further details once I get a chance to talk with him. Based on my very short interaction with the receptionist, I'm not the first person to call about the article this morning. Got a feeling the bike will be replaced pronto.

Now, if the Lubbock PD can find the thief...they should turn him/them over to the "spitfire mad" woman quoted in the article for alittle Texas-style summary justice.

[Bikers4Bush]

I have e-mailed the paper and asked them to let me know if there is a fund set up to contribute to a new bike.

I'll let you know if I hear anything.

[Captain Rhino]

To follow-up on my earlier post:

Spoke to the weekday city desk reporter at the newspaper. They have received literally hundreds of calls this morning. The bike has been replaced.

[3AngelaD]

I hope someone bought him a chain and a padlock, as well. How many huge tricycles are there on the streets of Lubbock? Seems to me the stolen one should be pursued, along with the thief.

[xp38]

Famous Italian movie called The Bicycle Thief seems to parallel this to some degree. It's a real downer of a movie and ushered in what they call neo realism.

[goldstategop]

Exactly. Theft in certain cases is the moral equivalent of murder - especially when it deprives the most helpless elements of our society of their independence and means to make a gainful living. My heart goes out to Robert McDonald and I hope the community rallies arounds him. He didn't deserve what he worked for all his life to be taken away from him.

[dead]

Can't imagine why someone would want to steal one of those 3-wheelers.

Drunk teenagers will steal anything. Might actually be fun to try stunt jumps on that.