A Toronto man whose $15,000 custom wheelchair was stolen Saturday says he’s also been robbed of his independence and freedom.

“I feel pretty violated,” said Raymond Dell’Aera, 25, who suffers from muscular dystrophy. “Basically I’m confined to my house, being driven by my parents.”

Dell’Aera’s wheelchair disappeared from outside a friend’s house at Saywell Ave., near Keele St. and Finch Ave. W., on Saturday afternoon.

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic, neuromuscular disorder that weakens the muscles controlling body movement

Dell’Aera has had the condition since birth and says it affects his balance as well as his strength. He can walk, but only for short distances and with great effort. If he wants to venture outside his house, he needs his wheelchair.

“I use it everywhere,” he said. “I do my normal things with it and [rely on it to] visit friends, pursue opportunities for employment, [and] run any errands . . . I have to deal with enough barriers and obstacles as it is.”

Since Saturday, there has been an outpouring of support on the Internet for Dell’Aera’s cause. The blog helpraymond.wordpress.com was started to help bring attention to the issue, while #helpraymond is now a trending topic of Twitter.

“We as Torontonians can all reach into our pockets and #HelpRaymond donate $1 or $2 towards a new chair,” tweeted user Sarieta Bonita.

Meanwhile, Facebook users have been changing their cover photos to “Let’s Help Raymond” banners urging people to help Dell’Aera in any way.

“Definitely a lot of support has been shown by the community as a whole,” said Dell’Aera. “Some people have contacted me offering money and used wheelchairs or to pay for a new one.”

Nevertheless, Dell’Aera said getting a new wheelchair would take several months, as his particular one, paid for with assistance from OHIP, was tailor-made to accommodate his specific needs.

Police at 31 Division have assigned an officer to the case and are currently investigating, but say they have no leads yet as to who is behind the theft or what became of the wheelchair.

Dell’Aera hopes he can soon regain his ability to move freely.