Cerebral palsy patient's TV taken

Jayden Williams isn't like other teenagers.

He has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. He spends most of his time indoors but the Rotorua 14-year-old has been deprived of one of his prized possessions after his family's television was stolen.

Jayden lives with his mum, Tracy Mosen and his older brother and sister. The family were burgled two weeks ago while they slept.

Ms Mosen said the family's 42-inch television was taken.

"My other son had gone out and left the back door unlocked," she said. "He is beating himself up pretty badly over this."

Ms Mosen said Jayden spent a lot of his time in the lounge playing computer games on the television - now he was spending a lot of time staring at the empty space where it once sat.

"We just couldn't believe it," she said. "We were all really shocked and none of us could sleep the next night."

She said Jayden couldn't run around and play like other teenagers his age.

"He comes home from school and has to do some pretty intense therapy sessions, playing his video games is like an escape for him. It is his form of entertainment."

The family had bought the television about seven months ago but did not have insurance to replace it, Ms Mosen said.

"We came into a little bit of money and we got a really good deal on this TV so we decided to put the money into buying it.

"We certainly can't afford a new one and insurance is just way too expensive."

The family has lived at their Homedale St property for about 10 years and the only issue they have had in that time was a bike being stolen from outside the property, Ms Mosen said.

"No one has come in the house before and certainly not while we were sleeping."

In a bid to get his television back, Jayden has posted comments on social networking website Facebook offering $100 out of his own money as a reward.

"He is just so upset that this has happened," Ms Mosen said.

The theft has been reported to police, who are investigating the incident.

Senior Sergeant Karl Konlechner of the Rotorua police said burglaries tended to spike at this time of year and that this incident served as a reminder for people to be vigilant.

"People should always make sure their houses are secure. That is the main thing."

Mr Konlechner said people should also make sure their neighbours kept an eye on each others' properties. "When someone is breaking in to a house the person to report it is usually a neighbour, so it is important that people kept a look out for suspicious activity in their area."