By CASEY NEILL
A CALLOUS theft in Noble Park has left a mother and her disabled daughter stranded.
Carolyn Russell had convinced her sister Janine Russell from Newport to take a well-deserved break at a friend’s home on the night her van was stolen.
She’s the sole carer for daughter Sharamalee, 19, who has Angelman Syndrome, is wheelchair-bound and suffers from uncontrolled epilepsy.
“She requires care 24/7,” Carolyn said.
“My sister lives in a constant state of sleep deprivation with never a complaint on her own behalf.”
On 5 November life got even more difficult for the family when thieves took her maroon 1985/86 Toyota Tarago with registration plates ZGI 519.
Carolyn contacted the Journal in the hope someone might have seen the thieves or have information about the van’s whereabouts.
“Losing your vehicle like this can be devastating at the best of times but my sister’s situation is even more dire,” she said.
Janine’s only income is a carer’s pension so she’d been unable to pay for theft insurance and can’t afford a new vehicle.
“The van she had was barely adequate as Janine had to physically lift Sharamalee from the wheelchair into the vehicle before dismantling the heavy chair and lifting it into the boot,” Carolyn said.
“But she made do as it gave them a little freedom.
“The selfish action of these car thieves has effectively reduced the already-limited quality of life my sister and her family struggle to maintain.”
Janine has a son Kaillen, 15, who attends secondary school, works part-time and participates in sport across Williamstown, Newport, Yarraville, Altona North, Altona Meadows and Laverton.
“My sister has always tried to keep Kaillen’s life as ‘normal’ as other kids and not to limit his opportunities because of his sister’s disability,” Carolyn said.
“I have never heard him ever complain or wish his lifestyle different.
“He always helps whenever he can as a young carer to love and support his sister.
“For him to attend his activities he needs to be driven as public transport isn’t always available or reliable.”
Janine is temporarily borrowing a car but urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
“I’m not expecting anything for free,” she said.
“I just hope someone might have seen the car, or could offer me something I could afford.”
