An Abbotsford woman was robbed on Tuesday while travelling in her mobility scooter.
Kim, who did not want her last name used, said she is traumatized by the incident and wants to warn others with mobility issues to be wary of their surroundings.
The incident took place at about 3 p.m. on Roberts Avenue – located between McCallum Road and Bourquin Crescent East, one block south of South Fraser Way.
Kim had been returning from having her scooter repaired at the MediChair location at McCallum Road and Switzer Avenue, and was heading to her home in the area of Old Yale Road and South Fraser Way.
She was passing through the parking lot behind the bowling alley near MediChair, and noticed two men.
As she progressed along Roberts Avenue, one of them came up on her right, which distracted her while the other one stole the floral tote bag she had stored in the basket of her scooter.
The bag contained her ID, $220 cash and her Samsung Galaxy S4 cellphone, which she had just purchased on June 25.
Kim, who lives on a fixed income, said she rarely treats herself to anything new, but wanted a good, reliable phone.
She has no friends or family in the community, and she relies on the device to make medical appointments and to keep in touch with her two daughters and three young grandchildren.
It brought a bit of excitement and joy to an otherwise challenging life. Kim broke her neck five years ago when she was pushed down the stairs in a domestic incident.
She spend four months recuperating in hospital and has ongoing physical issues, including difficulties in walking, showering, sleeping and eating.
Kim said the incident also resulted in her suffering anxiety and panic attacks.
The robbery has magnified these issues.
"I haven't slept and I haven't eaten for three days," she said on Friday.
Social assistance was able to compensate her for $100 of the funds she had stolen – because it was designated for rent – but the rest is not covered.
Kim reported the incident to police, but the men were wearing hoodies and she was unable to get a good description of them.
She is concerned that other vulnerable people could become prey for the thieves.
"People need to know to watch their backs," she said.