The Schilling family owns a Chevy Astro Van that is equipped with a wheelchair lift used to transport their disabled 13-year-old son, David.
Caren Schilling and her husband woke up Wednesday morning at their Levittown Bucks County home to find the van was gone.
Police believe it was stolen.
"We can transport David anywhere he wants to go with his wheelchair in the van. It gives him independence. Otherwise we have to carry him from here to there," she said.
The van is a 1994 model, white with green pinstripes.
David has cerebral palsy. A sports fan, David and his twin Dillon along with little brother Jacob would often go to football practice and games in the van.
The Schillings hope the thief went for only a joyride and the van will be found undamaged. A hard lesson for Mom and Dad as the unlocked van had the keys in the glove box.
"We always thought it was a safe neighborhood, not to many of us lock up," Caren said.
On Thursday they got a phone call with an offer to temporarily lend the family a lift-equipped van. So far, however, there has been no sighting of their own wheels.
David has thought about what he would say to the thief.
"Why would you do that? You should earn your money, not steal off the street," he said. "That's not right." The Schillings' employer is offering a $1,000 dollar reward for its return.
