A low blow

By Bridget Brady
A HEARTLESS intrusion on a quadriplegic man while he was sleeping has left a family distraught.
PJ, 23, was at home in bed about 10.30am on 15 October when two intruders broke into the house at Hampton Park.
They pushed PJ’s wheelchair aside – which was next to his bed – and stole a safe before they fled the house.
PJ, who has mobility in his left arm, shuffled on his side to the front of the house to check out what had happened before he called his father, Peter Boland, who was at work.
Mr Boland, 52, was shocked and saddened by the burglary, and said the only thing his son wanted was an apology.
“He (PJ) doesn’t see the bad side of anybody. He said he wants the people caught, but even more so he would like an apology. He’s that type of forgiving person,” Mr Boland said.
PJ, who suffered a brain aneurism when he was five years old and also has severe epilepsy, was traumatised after the event and had lost his appetite, Mr Boland said.
“We’ve been there 25 years and nothing like this has happened. I was very surprised and frightened for him. He’s all I’ve got.”
Some cash was inside the safe, but of more sentimental value were gifts and good luck charms PJ’s classmates and friends had given him after some of his many operations, one in which he was given a less than 50 per cent chance of surviving.
The unkind burglary has made life a little bit more difficult for the Bolands, who have already suffered a great deal of pain.
Mr Boland’s parents and his wife’s parents all died in a short space of time, and his niece suffered a tragic death. To make matters worse, Mr Boland said he continued to struggle financially.
“This is something that didn’t need to happen. I don’t think I’ve got much petrol left. I’m getting pretty tired now.”
Despite the rough ride, Mr Boland said PJ had a positive outlook on life and made light of many situations.
A great source of inspiration and pride for PJ is the memory of his great-grandfather, also named Peter Boland, who won the Australian lightweight boxing title in Dandenong in 1888.
“PJ has been written off about three or four times to pass away and he just keeps coming back. From all newspaper reports, he (Peter Boland) was the same. He was written off from some fights and then he would win it.
“In my opinion, that’s why PJ bounces back.”
The intruders were described as being in their 20s with dark skin.
Anyone with any information about the burglary should contact Detective Senior Constable Derek Verity at the Narre Warren Police station on 9705 3111.