Created: 11/30/2009 11:20:40 PM 
Winston-Salem, NC -- An unfortunate turn of events Monday left a Lexington family in desperate need of assistance. Denae Ayers, a single mother of four, had her van stolen from a store parking lot. Now, not only is she without her only means of transporation, but inside the van was her special needs daughter's wheelchair. The wheelchair makes it possible for 10 year-old Heather, who suffers from severe epilepsy, to enjoy every day life with her family. Ayers said she made a quick trip to Hanes Mall around noon Monday and parked outside of JC Penney. She said when she left the mall, her van was gone. Ayers said she thinks she dropped her van key on the ground as she walked into the mall. The thief drove away with much more than just a vehicle. "Without that chair, it makes it really hard for us to take her and do things that require us walking any distance whatsoever," said Ayers. "The wheelchair is a vital part of our life just because of her condition and it's extremely upsetting because it really limits what we can do as a family." Ayers said insurance paid for Heather's wheelchair and it won't cover another chair for up to five years. She said paying for a new one herself, which would cost at least $4,000, is out of the question. "There's no way we could afford it. I'm a single parent, I can't work because of her disability," she said. Ayers hopes someone will come forward with any information that can help her family. "Whoever has our van, drop our wheelchair off, fire department, JC Penney's, just somewhere," she said. The van is a tan 2002 Ford Windstar with North Carolina license plater LWY-6157. On the back, there is a LGS Foundation bumper sticker, a blue Make-A-Wish magnet, and an Autism Society of North Carolina magnet. If you see a van matching this description, call police. The store manager at JC Penney said there is no surveillance video of the incident. A report has been filed with the Winston-Salem Police Department.
WFMY News 2
