Paul (22) has become a familiar figure on the road between Main Road and Seadoone Mall, as he is often seen travelling along the pavement to the shopping centre.
“I was under the bridge when a teenage boy approached me and asked for the time and where I was going. I told him I was on my way to the mall to motivate people,” said Paul.
He noticed Paul's phone on a strap around his neck and tucked underneath his shirt. “He asked me if the phone was switched off. When he pulled out a knife I backed off, I didn't want to get stabbed. He grabbed the phone and ran towards the onramp of the N2. I tried to ride after him, but he was too fast.”
Shaken by the incident, Paul was assisted by Good Samaritan, passing motorist Pat.”I am grateful to Pat for stopping. Paul remembered our landline number and she called me and I rushed over. I was afraid he had fallen out of his wheelchair,” said Paul's mother, Shanaaz.
Fifteen minutes after the incident, they flagged down a passing police van. Police searched the area, but to no avail.
Paul is shocked by the incident, as he had travelled the same route, Monday to Friday incident-free in 2013.”I am not going to let this incident get me down,” he said.
“How can one steal from someone in a wheelchair? He's not a threat to anyone,”said Shanaaz.
Paul wants his phone, a Blackberry 9300, back as it contains many valuable contacts. Shanaaz urges the thief to return the phone, as they would like to help him by praying for him. She can be contacted on 079-376-2404.
Although in a wheelchair, Paul has not let his disability hold him back. He is a keen motivational speaker and is also involved in ministry. He has completed a part-time Bible studies course and has had opportunties to speak at Radio Pulpit and to a group of adopted orphans in Hillcrest.
“I enjoy speaking to people, encouraging and motivating them,”
Later this month Paul will be tackling full-time ministry studies. “My dream is to become a pastor”.
