The Wheels are Back in Motion

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Hello,

I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you and provide an update on my wheelchair.

The police investigation has not uncovered the person(s) responsible to date. After it was recovered, the wheelchair had to undergo repairs to address damage done by those who stole it. I am very happy to say that those repairs were recently completed and I now have my own wheelchair again!

Your willingness to show support through this site and beyond—in the form of positive messages, donations, and even just by spreading the word—has ensured that I or my family did not have to endure the burden this situation had placed on us alone.

There was $1,480.00 raised from your donations, and it has all been directly allocated to my respective wheelchair expenses, including additional security.

We are very grateful for your kindness as it has been an immense help and source of hope through this regrettable situation.

Sincerely,

Raymond Dell’Aera

Update & Personal Message

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I’d like to take this opportunity to update everyone. I’m happy to report that my wheelchair was recovered by the Toronto Police Thursday night. Although I now have it in my possession, it is not in an operational state and will be assessed for repairs next week by the dealer.

To date, I have received $1,040.00, which I will use towards repair costs and an additional security device. As mentioned previously, in the event of any excess donations, I’ll be contributing directly to those with similar hardships.

Thank you for your support—I’m proud to live amongst so many of such great conscience.

Raymond Dell’Aera

Official Donation Page – Raymod Dell’Aera

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Hello Torontonians and supporters from other countries. Since yesterday Raymond has received tremendous support, we have had people reaching out to us offering helping hands, asking if there is any way they can help. We are working diligently to put together an official donation page for Raymond to ensure that the funds make it to him directly. Once we have the donation page set up, which will be hosted on this site, we’ll need your help and generosity to spread word in raising funds.

Raymond was extremely busy yesterday with the media and we are so grateful for everyone that has opened their hearts to Raymond in hopes to find his stolen wheelchair. We still haven’t heard any information about the safe return of his wheelchair. If anyone has information about the wheelchair we would be so grateful, it is not our concern who stole it or even why they took it, perhaps it was someone that couldn’t understand how important the chair is to Raymond. If you or anyone you know has any information regarding Raymond’s wheelchair please contact Toronto Police (416) 808-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-8000-222-TIPS.

How would you feel if you suddenly lost your legs?

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How would you feel if you suddenly lost your legs? Sadly, Raymond Dell’Area knows all too well.  Since birth, Raymond has suffered from muscular dystrophy, a disease which makes every day things such as walking a challenge.

At 25 years old, Raymond relies heavily on his $15,000 customized wheelchair for pretty much everything – this isn’t just a wheelchair…this wheelchair has become Raymond’s legs.  Yes, Raymond suffers from muscular dystrophy but this did not stop him from living his life and being the independent man that he is.  Having this wheelchair enabled Raymond to visit his friends, look for a job and be able to live a normal life but all of that suddenly changed.

On Saturday September 22nd while Raymond was visiting with a friend, his wheelchair was taken.  Suddenly, Raymond no longer has “his legs” and is now pretty much confined to his home unless his parents are able to transport him to and from where he needs to go. Such a drastic change for a man that was able to live his life independently all this time.  Now, instead of relying on his wheelchair – he is relying on you, the public to help him.
At first, you may think “how can I help, I don’t even know this man” but if you give this some serious thought, perhaps put yourself in his position – if you woke up tomorrow without any legs, wouldn’t you want everyone out there to help you find them? I know I would and that’s what brought me here today.
In life we tend to take the simple things for granted.  Being able to get up, face the day and do what we need to do without any challenges.  How would we do these things if we were suddenly immobile?  Something as horrible as what has happened to Raymond was enough to put things into a new perspective for me and hopefully for you too.

Raymond’s friends and family have turned to the media, Facebook, twitter and WordPress to help spread the word about this.  We ask that you help out by sharing the links and pages you find here with your friends and family.

Let’s all do our part to help Raymond find his wheelchair and get back to the life that he has worked so hard to get!

Find Raymond’s Wheels – Facebook Cover Photo

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There’s been a really great show of support, people have been getting in touch asking if there is anything else they can do to help Raymond get his wheels back.

I hope to have more details for everyone by tomorrow, until then let’s keep the word strong by spreading the word to as many people as we can. Proud supporters of Raymond can use this facebook cover photo to keep the word strong about the return of Raymond’s wheelchair. Please also link back to this website www.helpraymond.wordpress.com

Instructions to save the image:
1) Place your cursor over the image
2) Click on Save As
3) Upload to Facebook as cover photo

Use this facebook cover photo to keep the word strong about the return of Raymond’s wheelchair. Please also link back to this website.

#HelpRaymond – Latest News on Raymond Dell’Aera

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The community support on twitter, facebook, CP24 and Torontonianas has been great! Thanks to all the supporters for getting the word out there. Hopefully the more that this story is covered the better chance Raymond Dell’Aera will have to get his chair back and be the independent young man he is acquainted with. A special thanks to CP24 for providing exclusive coverage on this story and ensuring that Raymond’s wheelchair is returned to him safely.

Twitter supporters have also been great at spreading the word using #helpraymond and tractions is picking up. Today alone we have had 119 people visit this blog, 35 supporters on Facebook Page Find Raymonds Wheelchair

Here is CP24 latest coverage on helping Raymond

Good Samaritans are lining up to replace a Toronto man’s wheelchair after his was stolen as he visited friends on the weekend.

Raymond Dell’Aera, who has muscular dystrophy, said several people have offered financial donations and other assistance since his motorized wheelchair was taken Saturday.

Some people are offering to buy a new wheelchair, Dell’Aera told CP24 on Monday.

The 25-year-old man said he’s thankful for the offers and words of support he has received.

Valued at about $15,000, the customized wheelchair disappeared after Dell’Aera parked it in an alley outside a friend’s home on Saywell Avenue, near Keele Street and Finch Avenue West.

Because of mobility issues, Dell’Aera said he is basically housebound without the wheelchair.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the wheelchair is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

See original CP24 Article here
Photo & Article Courtesy of CP24
Chris Kitching, cp24.com
Published Monday, Sep. 24, 2012 10:27AM EDT
Last Updated Monday, Sep. 24, 2012 3:50PM EDT

 

 

 

CP24 News Coverage on #HelpRaymond

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When Raymond Dell’Aera parked his wheelchair outside a friend’s home on Saywell Drive near Keele Street and Finch Avenue Saturday afternoon, he didn’t imagine it wasn’t safe.

But when he emerged from the home and looked for the chair in the private alleyway where he had parked it, it was gone and he was shocked.

Since birth, the 25-year-old has suffered from muscular dystrophy, a disease that makes it difficult for him to walk. He calls his wheelchair ‘his legs.’ He describes the vehicle as his lifeline and says he depends on it for socializing, pursuing job opportunities and general mobility. And he’s now trying desperately to get it back.

“Without my chair I feel stranded because I can’t really leave my house unless my parents drive me. And they work, so they’re busy,” Dell’Aera told CP24’s Cristina Tenaglia at his home. “Without my chair I can’t really do anything a normal 25-year-old would do… because I can’t leave my house.”

Since yesterday he and his family have created posters of the chair and posted them around the neighbourhood where it went missing. According to 31 Division an officer has been assigned to the case and will be investigating.

Specially designed for Dell’Aera, the motorized wheelchair has a value of about $15,000 and was paid for with assistance from OHIP. Dell’Aera didn’t have insurance for the chair and he’s not yet sure whether the government will help him get a new one if he doesn’t find it.

Photo & Article Courtesy of: CP24 News
Joshua Freeman, cp24.com
Published Sunday, Sep. 23, 2012 10:55PM EDT
Last Updated Sunday, Sep. 23, 2012 11:37PM EDT

If you or anyone you know has any information regarding Raymond’s wheelchair please contact Toronto Police (416) 808-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-8000-222-TIPS.

Raymond Dell’Aera, Toronto Man’s Wheelchair Stolen

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Yesterday while watching the news I was just shocked to hear that a young Toronto man had his wheelchair stolen while visiting a friend. I was even more shocked when they announced the name Raymond Dell’Aera, the son of my co-worker.

On Saturday September 22, 2012 Raymond was visiting a friend, his wheelchair which weighs over 200 pounds was parked outside on private property. His wheelchair was stolen off private property near Keele and Finch in Toronto, Ontario. Although Raymond was born with muscular dystrophy he is an independent young man that relies on his wheelchair to have the ability to be mobile.

The motorized wheelchair has a value of $15,000 and was paid for with the assistance of O.H.I.P and is custom built to suit Raymond. Sadly Raymond does not have insurance on the wheelchair and is uncertain that O.H.I.P may even pay to replace it.

Raymond relies on his wheelchair to allow him to continue to be independent. I am sadden that someone would even think to take things young man’s wheel chair. Perhaps it was a mistaken or just some young kids not understanding how important the wheelchair could be to someone. Whatever the reason, the only thing that matters is that we reunite Raymond and his wheelchair so he can be mobile again.

If you or anyone you know has any information regarding Raymond’s wheelchair please contact Toronto Police (416) 808-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 1-8000-222-TIPS.