Deaf, mute Bridgeport woman robbed of money and wheelchair

From: Stamford Advocate, CT - Oct 25, 2003

BRIDGEPORT , Conn. -- A deaf and mute Bridgeport woman who uses a wheelchair said she was attacked by four muggers who robbed her at gunpoint of $40, a ring and her wheelchair.

Patricia Morton, 44, was stranded and immobilized on Atlantic Street for two hours late Thursday night, the Connecticut Post reported in editions prepared for Saturday.

Morton, who used the wheelchair because of recent surgery on her foot, which is in a cast, was found lying on the side of the road by a passer-by who called police.

"She is still traumatized. She is still in a lot of pain," said Roxanne Arroyo, Morton's roommate.

Morton, speaking in sign language, told Arroyo that she feels "really bad that someone can do this to me, being deaf and in a wheelchair."

"It takes a low person to do that," she said.

Bridgeport police, who gave Morton a wheelchair to use for up to three months, say the mugging is being investigated.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press