Couple in wheelchairs trapped in MacArthur Park apartment due to broken elevator

MACARTHUR PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A disabled couple who are both in wheelchairs have been confined to their MacArthur Park apartment after the elevator broke down.

Benjamin Velasquez cannot descend down the stairs of his building. Instead, he has to use his arms to pull himself and his wheelchair down one step at a time.

The elevator in the building, located in the 500 block of Park View, has been out of service for more than a month. Benjamin cares for his wife, Evelyn, who has cerebral palsy and is also in a wheelchair.

"It's very difficult for me and for my wife, leave her in this situation. I need them to repair the elevator," he said.

Neighbor Antoaneta Kolarova said Evelyn came to her door on Monday.

"When I went out she was crying and she told me that the elevator was not going to be fixed for another two months. It was just heartbreaking to see her in this situation," she said.

Kolarova said building managers told her the elevator may not be repaired for several more weeks. She went out herself to get food and run errands for the couple.

Now, building residents are banding together to petition management to repair the elevator.

Eyewitness News tried to reach out to the company in charge of the building, but did not make any contact.