Internet Reunion - Brothers Reunited Through Online Search
Terry Richardson of Avon Park experienced a Christmas miracle this year that was featured in the Highlands News-Sun by writer Phil Attinger. Richardson’s present was not wrapped in red paper with a bow on top, though. It came in the form of a reunion with his brothers whom he had lost touch with nearly 30 years ago.
A few days prior to Christmas, Richardson flew to DeFuniak Springs to be reunited with two of his brothers for the holiday. He had lost touch with his brothers around 1987, two years after their father passed. 1985 was the last time Richardson had seen his family.
This journey to reunion began last Valentine’s Day with help from Richardson’s caregiver with Ridge Area Arc, Melissa Gibson. After Gibson realized Richardson had no one to spend the holiday with, she decided to help him search for and reconnect with his family. In under three months, Gibson had found Richardson’s brothers after some online sleuthing, searching for his brothers through mentions of their wives in an obituary. She recounts how she took a chance and called a number listed online, which turned out to be the key to reconnecting.
“Everybody was really glad to get back in touch with him,” said Gibson.
Both Richardson and his brothers, Bill and Ralph, had news to share. Richardson let his brothers know of their father’s death and found out that his oldest brother Jimmy had passed in 2004. While none of the men have heard from their youngest brother David, they are enjoying reconnecting with each other now.
Brothers Bill (left) and Terry Richardson (right) were able to finally reunite after 30 years. Terry’s caregiver Ridge Area Arc was able to reconnect the two after completing internet research.
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