Disabled boy left stranded (From Stroud News and Journal)

Disabled boy left stranded

THE mum of a severely disabled teenager has appealed to thieves to return her son's customised walking frame before he loses all the strength in his legs which could leave him with heart damage.

Ian Omnes, 13 who has cerebral palsy gets around on a motorised wheelchair but he needs the specially-built frame to strengthen his muscles and keep his heart strong.

The frame disappeared from outside the family home in Chestnut Lane, Stroud where it is kept under and awning as it is too big and bulky to take into the house.

Ian's mother, Mary told the SNJ the frame which is worth more than £1,000, was stolen, perhaps as a prank, while Ian was too ill to use it.

She believes it may have been dumped by someone with a misguided sense of fun. Several weeks before the Easter break Ian, who attends Thomas Keble School in Eastcombe and St Rose's special school, developed a bad back and could not use the frame for a while.

When he was well enough to use it again the family realised they had not seen it for some time.

"At first I thought I must have left it at one of the schools but it hadn't and it was then I realised it must have been stolen," said Mrs Omnes.

"I've searched high and low and expended all the possibilities. Its definitely gone." Mrs Omnes said she has always left the frame outside and there has never been a problem.

Although it cost over £1,100 it is worthless to anybody except Ian as it has been extensively customised to meet his requirements.

"Whoever took it wouldn't be able to sell it on," she said. "It's probably been dumped somewhere and we would really love to have it back."

Anyone who may have seen the frame or knows anything about its disappearance is asked to call St Rose's School on 01453 763793.