Lowest of the low: Thieves steal Paralympian’s wheelchair just months after he had his leg amputated
- Paralympian had his custom-built wheelchair stolen outside a house in Adelaide
- The 25-year-old track and field athlete is pleading for thieves to come forward
- Arkley won a bronze medal in the Men’s 4 × 400 metres relay in London in 2012
A Paralympian training for Tokyo had his wheelchair stolen less than a year after his leg was amputated due to an infection.
Nathan Arkley’s custom-built wheelchair was stolen from the front porch of his friend’s home in Angle Park, Adelaide.
The 25-year-old track and field athlete – who is currently using an old chair which doesn’t fit properly – is pleading for the thieves to come forward.
‘Honestly, it’s my legs…it’s mobility, it’s my way of life,’ Arkley told 7NEWS.
Arkley won a bronze medal in the Men’s 4 × 400 metres relay at the London Paralympics in 2012
‘It’s a very custom item, so it’s not much use to anyone but myself.’
Arkley won a bronze medal in the Men’s 4 × 400 metres relay at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Earlier this year, Arkley suffered an infection and was required to get his left leg amputated in emergency surgery.
‘I guess it’s another bump in the road. It’s part and parcel of life – you can either curl over or get on with it,’ he said.
Arkley has used a wheelchair since he was eight years old.
His friend Matthew Brumby said custom-made wheelchairs are expensive and can take 12 weeks to build.
Nathan Arkley’s custom-built wheelchair was stolen from the front porch of his friend’s home in Angle Park, Adelaide
Earlier this year, Arkley suffered an infection and was required to get his left leg amputated. ‘I guess it’s another bump in the road. It’s part and parcel of life – you can either curl over or get on with it,’ he said