Susan Ferguson, 50, is a former nurses' aide who had her right leg amputated many years ago because of diabetes.
The 1997 Dodge Caravan she and her husband bought was customized so she could drive.
Her husband passed away last fall, and Ferguson is alone caring for their 16-year-old daughter.
On Tuesday morning, she looked out of her door to find the van had been stolen, along with the vehicle-ready wheelchair inside.
Her insurance only covers other motorists or pedestrians, not her losses.
"I'm stuck. I don't have nothing and I can't afford to get another one because I'm on Social Security," Ferguson said.
Ferguson's neighbors are disgusted and worried about her situation.
"That's crazy. She don't got nobody but her daughter, and that's it. It think it's really sad that someone could go so low and do something like that," said neighbor Sonja Zamot.
"She had to go to the doctor today and she had to cancel because she can't go," said neighbor Vanessa Reynolds.
The van is a gray-brown 1997 Dodge Caravan with New Jersey license plate HY 6716, marked for a handicapped driver.
Police have told Ferguson that unless the van is recovered sometime overnight, the chances of it ever turning up are very low.
Ferguson cannot afford a new vehicle, customized or otherwise, so barring a miracle or good Samaritans her precious independence is totally compromised.
