Shawna Henderson, an Alberta Children’s Hospital staff member, is pleading for the return of her wheelchair after her car was stolen from outside her home earlier this weekend.

“This is my livelihood,” said Henderson. This is how I get around and it will be very difficult for me.”

After her Friday night shift, Henderson returned home and parked her dark blue, 2005 Hyundai Elantra hatchback (Alberta licence plate BCT 4431) with her wheelchair stowed in the vehicle’s trunk.

On Saturday morning, the car and its contents were gone.

Henderson utilizes crutches when possible but says work is tiring without her customized wheelchair. The wheelchair was purchaed from Morion Specialties for thousands of dollars and the serial number on the chair frame is traceable through the business.

Until her wheelchair is found, the hospital has supplied Henderson with a loaner.

Henderson says the vehicle thief, or thieves, likely did not understand the predicament they were placing her in.

“They have to realize that they’re inconveniencing me to do everything and any friends that I have to rely on now,” said Henderson. “I’m sure they didn’t realize it when they took it.”

The wheelchair, a Breezy, is black and has no armrests. Henderson has filed a report with the Calgary Police Service.