Minoriteeburg
09-02-2006, 19:04
Retarded man can't ride moped again
Thursday, February 09, 2006
JEREMY GRAY
News staff writer
Edward Milton's moped is chained to a tree in front of his Pelham home.
Until last week, the 54-year-old mentally retarded man regularly rode the bike up and down his street, Overhill Road, stopping to talk with his friends in the neighborhood.
"He knows everyone here, and everyone loves him," said his sister-in-law, Debra Milton.
"Half of them know me; half of them don't," Milton interjected.
Last week, police told the family it's illegal for Milton to ride the bike without a license.
Debra Milton said losing the freedom to ride the moped essentially cut off her brother-in-law's access to the world outside his home.
While she is quick to say she doesn't blame the police, Debra Milton said there are not enough opportunities for social interaction for people like her brother-in-law, people she refers to as lost angels.
"They're just forgotten people," she said. "They don't have a voice and can't speak up for themselves."
"It would be good for him to have something at least once a week away from the house," said Helen Chance, a neighbor and longtime friend of the Milton family.
Milton had enjoyed talking on a CB radio under the handle Mini-Bike Rider, but the family stopped him from using it recently after neighbors complained that the radio was interfering with their telephone service.
>>FULL STORY (http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1139480655229840.xml&coll=2)
this seems pretty fucked up. i mean if he's been riding the moped without any problems, then why take it away?
Thursday, February 09, 2006
JEREMY GRAY
News staff writer
Edward Milton's moped is chained to a tree in front of his Pelham home.
Until last week, the 54-year-old mentally retarded man regularly rode the bike up and down his street, Overhill Road, stopping to talk with his friends in the neighborhood.
"He knows everyone here, and everyone loves him," said his sister-in-law, Debra Milton.
"Half of them know me; half of them don't," Milton interjected.
Last week, police told the family it's illegal for Milton to ride the bike without a license.
Debra Milton said losing the freedom to ride the moped essentially cut off her brother-in-law's access to the world outside his home.
While she is quick to say she doesn't blame the police, Debra Milton said there are not enough opportunities for social interaction for people like her brother-in-law, people she refers to as lost angels.
"They're just forgotten people," she said. "They don't have a voice and can't speak up for themselves."
"It would be good for him to have something at least once a week away from the house," said Helen Chance, a neighbor and longtime friend of the Milton family.
Milton had enjoyed talking on a CB radio under the handle Mini-Bike Rider, but the family stopped him from using it recently after neighbors complained that the radio was interfering with their telephone service.
>>FULL STORY (http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1139480655229840.xml&coll=2)
this seems pretty fucked up. i mean if he's been riding the moped without any problems, then why take it away?