Mum of NI child whose wheelchair disappeared from family porch delighted it has been located

The parents of a child, whose wheelchair disappeared from their front porch, are delighted that it has be found.
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Mum Christine McCusker revealed that the family were in disbelief after their son Ethan’s wheelchair had been taken from their front porch.

She and her husband John, from Lurgan, Co Armagh, had issued an appeal for the return of their 13-year-old son’s vital chair on Wednesday.

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However last night the couple revealed that the wheelchair had been found and it had been taken by mistake.

A wheelchair similiar to the one that was stolen on Wednesday in Lurgan.A wheelchair similiar to the one that was stolen on Wednesday in Lurgan.
A wheelchair similiar to the one that was stolen on Wednesday in Lurgan.

Christine revealed that Ethan, who has suffered brain injury from birth, received a new wheelchair six months ago and the old one had been due to be collected.

Ethan doesn’t use his wheelchair inside the home and it normally is left on the front porch.

The couple said: “We have located the wheelchair. It was taken by mistake. It is at the wheelchair depot in Belfast.

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“I had called them about five weeks ago to ask them to collect Ethan’s old chair that he had outgrown. I was meant to receive a call to say it was being collected. I wasnt notified about the pickup and the engineer has turned up and taken the new one by mistake.

“I am mortified. I would like to thank all the people who have contacted us and offered to pay to replace Ethans chair or help look for the chair.

“I always hoped it was not malicious. There are so many good people in our community.

“If anyone would like to set up a go fund me page to raise funds for me to emigrate to an isolated area it would be appreciated. I will not be available until the embarrassment has subsided around 2027. Seriously though, Thank you all so much we are so appreciative of all the support.”

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Earlier Christine explained that Ethan, who attends Ceara Special School, suffered a brain haemmorage just before birth. He had suffered brain damage and had his first brain surgery aged three days old.

“We would never think that anyone could have stolen it,” said Christine who said she has been overwhelmed with messages of support since the posted about the loss of the chair.

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