A Vancouver family is pleading for the return of their disabled daughter's specially equipped van, after it was stolen from behind her group home last month.
Amanda Henderson has Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that causes her to feel very tired.
To make outings easier for her, Amanda's parents bought a modified van for her group home.
"It's kind of like her legs, because she is wheelchair-bound, and it allows her to go out and to have the flexibility to do the activities that might not be so easy to get to with public transit," group home supervisor Dale Reynoldson told CTV News.
The green Dodge Caravan was stolen from behind the group home in the Cambie Street and 62nd Avenue area on April 22.
"Without her vehicle, it's created a real hardship. The last few weeks have been a struggle for her," Reynoldson said.
Amanda's mother Barbara and staff at her group home have tried taking her on transit, but the extra effort is tiring her out.
"By the time she gets somewhere in another type of transportation, she's tired -- often too tired to do the activity -- and then it's time to come home," Barbara Henderson said.
Amanda can't talk, but her caregivers have a message for whoever stole the van.
"Have a change of heart, do the right thing, and bring the van back," Reynoldson said. "No questions asked. Just bring the van back -- Amanda needs her legs back."
Her mother says that the thief couldn't possibly need the van as much as Amanda does.
"We really, really, really hope that we find it and she can have a big part of her life back."
The van is a 1996 green Dodge Caravan with tinted windows, bearing the licence plate number is 297 JBW.
The Vancouver Resource Society is accepting donations to help replace the van through Amanda's Van Fund.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson
