ANAHEIM : Disabled Man Loses Freedom to Thieves

When a friend called Don DuBois one recent morning and told the quadriplegic his car was not parked outside his apartment, DuBois joked: “You’re saying my car’s stolen.”

But it was no joke. The 32-year-old DuBois’ Chevrolet Camaro, equipped with hand controls that allowed him to drive, had indeed been stolen.

The agony was doubled because he had dropped the theft insurance that took too much of his $603-a-month disability check.

“I looked out the window, and I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I usually set the alarm and put The Club (an anti-theft device) on the steering wheel. But it had been drizzly the night before when I came home, so I didn’t bother.”

The lack of a car has forced him to depend on his brother and neighbors for rides, he said.

The Salvation Army has begun a collection to replace the car.

DuBois was injured 16 years ago in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down, except for some movement in his lower arms.

“Whoever took that car took his independence,” said Carol DuBois, his mother.

It was the third time this year a car has been stolen from his 14-unit Frontera Street apartment complex, which caters to handicapped people, Don DuBois said.

“Just in the last couple months, there was a deaf guy who had his (Nissan) 280Z stolen and a guy who takes care of an elderly lady had his car stolen,” he said.

Although the Camaro was equipped with hand controls, its foot pedals are functional, so the thief did not need any special skill to drive the car.

Police officers doubt the apartment complex and its disabled residents have been singled out by car thieves.

Frontera Street is right next to the Riverside Freeway, making residents all along it susceptible to auto theft.

Donations to replace DuBois’ car can be sent to the Salvation Army, Don DuBois Fund, 1710 W. Edinger Ave., Santa Ana, Calif. 92704.