Disabled Teen's Stolen Tricycle Recovered

(WCCO) Taking a look at 17-year-old Hendrix Johnson, it's clear that hisfamily don't give up easily. Six years ago, Hendrix developed aneurological disease called Rasmussen Encephalitis. Doctors had toremove the left side of his brain, leaving him partially blind andpartially paralyzed.

Now, he's prospering as a rising senior at South High and uses aspecial tricycle to get around. Last month, that trike was stolen.For a short time, the Johnsons gave up hope it would ever be found.That hope was rekindled Friday night.

Matt Duffin called Hendrix' mom saying he'd found the bike in analley near 32nd and Grand Avenues in south Minneapolis. A boy, 8 or9 years old, was playing with it and had just broken the chain.

"He was like, 'I've had the bike for couple of months, I just foundit,'" recalled Hendrix. "I kind of suspected he knew more than justthat."

Duffin had seen Hendrix's bike on a cycling blog and called hisfriend to confirm the specialized spider chain wheel. Together,they brought it to Hendrix' home Friday night.

"I was running around the neighborhood. I was totally psyched. Iwas totally sweaty," said Hendrix.

The trike had significant damage; enough that it Hendrix won't ableto ride it until it's fixed. Duffin and his friend, Brian, theowner of Shockspital , said they'd help repair it for him.

"It gave me inspiration that people are good and people arepowerful when they're united," said Katie Johnson, Hendrix' mom.