Milwaukee County addressing needs of disabled people after family had handicap accessible van stolen

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It will go down as just about the worst Christmas ever. A Milwaukee family reeling after someone stole their van, used to help their children with disabilities get around, and then lit it on fire. The wheelchair accessible van was stolen along with two wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and other medical equipment. Now the father says he has to drive the kids in his beat-up truck while they wait to see if insurance can help them buy a new one.

Wednesday afternoon Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele will be meeting with other community leaders at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to talk about the needs of people living with disabilities in our community in support of the Figueroa family.

More than $17,000 has been raised for the family so far. The Figueroa family says they are thankful for the support and grateful for community leaders bringing awareness to disabilities, “People with disabilities they learn and they can also teach you. Just because they can't talk doesn't mean they don't speak to you. We just have to pay attention and learn from them,” said Jose Figueroa.

Right now there are about 95,000 people living with a disability in Milwaukee County.