Emotions run high as long-lost siblings reconnect after seven years
Marinda Ingram spent almost seven years scouring the internet in search of her brother, but a newspaper article provided the missing link which reconnected the siblings, who live 1,000km apart.
When The Herald published the story in April of Bay amputee Dennis Ingram’s plight after his wheelchair was stolen, the homeless 62-year-old did not have the faintest idea it would put him back in touch with his only surviving sibling, who lives in Umkomaas in Kwazulu-Natal.
Marinda’s daughter sent her the article and shortly thereafter the 58-year-old contacted the newspaper’s office to ask how she could get hold of her long-lost brother.
On Monday, after South End Neighbourhood Watch member and social activist Devon Harrison located Ingram in the Humewood area, he telephoned Marinda and handed the phone to her brother.
“When I heard her voice, I had a flashback of the day she left after our sister Reinette’s funeral seven years ago,” an emotional Ingram said.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the story would reconnect me with my sister.
“I always looked for her on Facebook.
“My phone was stolen many times and I lost her number.
“I know that she also looked for me.”
He said he hoped to be reunited with his sister and that they could stay together.
“I don’t know how much time I still have on this earth.
“Perhaps the next time I see her will be my farewell,” he said.
Marinda said it was incredible to hear her brother’s voice.
“I was looking for him for six to seven years after our sister’s funeral.
“We were five siblings, and we are the only surviving and youngest ones.
“I want to put things in place to move back home so that he can come to live with me,” she said.
Harrison, who played a key role in helping Ingram to get a replacement wheelchair, said he was glad he could do something to reconnect the siblings.
“I would love to see his sister come to visit him for a weekend.
“I am grateful to the sponsors I dealt with this week for [offering] accommodation for them and activities such as a boat cruise.
“What we need is a return plane ticket for his sister to come to Gqeberha to reunite with her brother.”
Ingram and Harrison thanked The Herald for publishing the story of the wheelchair robbery that resulted in the siblings finding one another.
“It is amazing what happened after the story and the Facebook posts by Indulge coffee shop owner Dawie Pieters and the Ward 2 councillor, Renaldo Gouws, when Dennis’s wheelchair was stolen.
“We now look forward to his sister’s visit,” Harrison said.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the story would reconnect me with my sister. I always looked for her on Facebook’