The Scum of the Underbelly.

wheelchair

Well, today is more of a short rant. As you can see by the photo, we had a very unusual situation out here.

This photo was taken on Monday, March 16th. This chair was eerily left abandoned on the corners of two rural roads, not far from home. I called the police who informed me that I was the second to report this.

My hunch proved correct when the local news station reported that authorities were looking for the owner of this stolen wheelchair. I mean, what kind of subspecies steals a wheelchair?

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markbierman

Born and raised on a farm near Brockville, Ontario, Mark Bierman's childhood consisted of chores, riding horses, snowmobile races across open fields, fishing trips to a local lake, and many other outdoor adventures. He was also an avid reader of both fiction and non. Transitioning towards adulthood also meant moving from the farm and into large urban areas that introduced this country boy to life in the big cities. After a short stint as a private investigator, he moved into the role of Correctional Officer, working at both Millhaven Institution and Kingston Penitentiary, until it closed.

33 thoughts on “The Scum of the Underbelly.”

  1. On the various local news, I have heard where people stole a wheelchair, specialized handicap accessible bicycle, a suitcase containing cremains, and other stuff that you would think no sentient person would consider stealing

    Liked by 1 person

  4. What an unwritten story within this photo, for there is a story behind the abandoned wheelchair. While many believe it was stolen from some scumless unhappy human (and perhaps it was), as soon as I saw your photo I felt the plea of a young boy (9? 10?) whose mother is failing (long time illness- cancer?) and has been unable to afford health care. So she lies in her bed day after day. The boy is hungry. School is closed, so he has no daily meal he can count on. He walks aimlessly around the rural village and spies a wheelchair on someone’s porch. He perks up. Perhaps, if his mom can get around, like in a wheelchair, she’d go to the store and buy food! He sneaks up to the porch and runs away with the wheelchair, down the small lane and onto a large road. And then his chest sags. His mom would never go for this. So he abandons the idea, and the wheelchair, and saunters back home, hungry and scared.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Very true . . . there are so many possibilities. Personally, I have sympathy towards the victim of the theft. The scenario you have written may be possible, but the area is quite rural so it’s unlilely a young boy stole it from a porch and left it on a country road. Also, our healthcare system in Ontario, Canada, though not perfect, is fairly decent. If there was a single mother with mobility issues, it is highly likely that she would be provided with a wheelchair and a Personal Support Worker, free of charge. We all pay into one main medical system up here, and for those who really need it, the services and care are available. But hey, you never know. Thank you for giving a different perspective to this incident, unfortunately I don’t think we’ll ever know.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Good to know. I placed the photo (in my mind’s eye) in rural America, a whole different scenario. Whoever stole the wheelchair has a HUGE problem, that’s for sure. Thanks for sharing this, Mark. Makes us all think….

        Liked by 2 people

    1. No, there was no ID. The police had to put out a notice to find the owner. I thought maybe it was from the local hospital but you think they would have checked with them first.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Not only did they steal the wheelchair, but abandoned it, a further slap in the face of the person who needs it. Whoever did this is a person so vengeful and full of hate as to make him/her a very dangerous person in the future.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. For about 20 years I lived in Chatsworth, California near what has been called “Boys Town of the West.” I’ve met some of the counselors, and even some of the boys when they were allowed to take on work in the community. I have the highest regard for this institution. I wish there were more like them. They truly made a difference in young boys’ lives.

        Liked by 2 people

      6. After 22 years in law enforcement, I truly believe that the best solution is to reach these kids when they’re young. I’m glad there are programs like these in place and counselors who are skilled and caring enough to help.

        Liked by 2 people

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