Jul 18, 2008 7:08 pm US/Central
Disabled Teen's Adult-Sized Tricycle Stolen
(WCCO)
A Twin Cities teenager is hoping to get his wheels back after someone stole them last month.
Seventeen-year-old Hendrix Johnson used a special tricycle to get to work, home and friends' houses. The trike was given to him after he had brain surgery six years ago.
Doctors removed the left part of his brain when Hendrix was 11 years old because he suffered from a rare neurological disease. Rasmussen Encephalitis was eating away the left side his brain causing seizures and paralysis.
Now, Hendrix wears a leg brace, has partial blindness and is paralyzed on the left side.
"On a two-wheel bike, I would always fall and I would get a lot of injuries," he laughed.
It's clear nothing changed in his heart. Hendrix is caring, thoughtful young man who plays all the adaptive sports as a rising senior at South High.
Last month, he was playing basketball with a friend at a park at 34th and Pleasant Avenues in south Minneapolis. He had locked the trike at the corner. When he returned a half hour later, the lock was there, but the bike was gone.
"It felt like its one step forward, two steps back," said Hendrix' mom, Katie. "Here's this kid, all of his buddies get their drivers license and he depends on his bike."
Friends have set up websites to help in the search. Trikes like the one stolen can cost up to $1,000. Police thought it would turn up, because it's so unique. One month later, still no bike. Starting this fall, Hendrix will walk to his new job 20 blocks away.
"I'm praying every single night," he said. He believes in its return because, as he knows well, miracles happen.
Hendrix Johnson's Story (Nov. 2002) Hendrix Johnson's Story (Sept. 2002)July 19 Update: The bike was found and recovered Friday night.
These websites helped in the search:
CraigslistSurly Bikes BlogCars R Coffins (July 16 Entry)
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