A Groom Marries His Bride Paralyzed Just a Month Before Their Wedding, Showing What the Word “Love” Truly Means

People
year ago

During a bachelorette party, a bride-to-be was unfortunately involved in an accident that resulted in paralysis. The incident, initially intended to be a harmless joke, drastically altered her life. Read on to learn her story because it gave us all goosebumps.

A wedding day can be the most important day in a person’s life, and it was for this bride.

As Rachelle Friedman’s wedding day approached, she was filled with excitement and anticipation. After all, she was about to tie the knot with the man of her dreams, her first love, no less. With an engagement of almost one year following 5 years of dating, their love story was a fairy tale that came to life.

One night, as her best friends prepared a bachelorette party to remember, they decided to end the festivities with a dip in the pool. It seemed like the perfect way to bid farewell to Rachelle’s single life and usher in her new one as a happily married woman. However, little did anyone know that this innocent decision would change Friedman’s life in ways she could never have imagined.

She suffered broken vertebrae, leaving her unable to walk or to feel anything below her chest.

In an instant, everything changed. Friedman and her friends enjoyed a fun-filled evening by the pool, just like they had countless times before. But one playful push from her best friend changed everything.

As she hit the bottom of the pool, Rachelle felt a jolt of pain shoot through her body. She knew something was terribly wrong as she lay there, unable to move. Panic began to set in, but Friedman stayed calm, waiting for her friends to come to her aid.

They rushed to the hospital.

As the reality of her situation began to sink in, Friedman was rushed to the hospital. The doctors diagnosed her with a devastating C6 spinal cord injury, leaving her unable to feel anything below her collarbone, taking away her ability to walk.

Desperate to let her fiancé Chris Chapman know the severity of her condition, Friedman immediately reached out to him. Despite being on a camping trip with his dad, she knew she had to break the news to him herself. With a heavy heart and a stern voice, Friedman delivered the heartbreaking news, “I broke my neck, and I’m probably not going to walk.”

After informing all those closest to her, Friedman began a long and grueling journey toward recovery. After spending almost 3 months in the hospital before undergoing rehabilitation, the bride-to-be never gave up hope that she would one day walk again.

But they worked everything out.

Despite the life-altering accident, one thing remained constant for Friedman: her unwavering support system. From her devoted fiancé who helps her with daily activities, such as bathing and eating, to her bridesmaids — including the one who inadvertently caused her injury — her loved ones have remained by her side through it all.

Friedman doesn’t blame anyone for the accident. “She’s still my best friend,” said Friedman, who declined to name the friend. “I don’t blame her in any way — I could have easily done the same thing.”

And the couple married with love and tenderness.

Friedman and Chapman got married a year after the accident, proving that true love can conquer all, even disabilities. 4 years later, they welcomed their daughter, Kaylee, via surrogate. Chapman revealed that their marriage has remained strong despite facing numerous challenges, serving as a pillar of support during tough times.

“I would put our marriage up against anybody else. Life has been tough, but the marriage hasn’t. That’s what’s held us together,” she explained.

10 years later, the lovely couple decided to renew their vows.

After a decade of marriage, Friedman and Chapman decided to renew their vows in an intimate celebration with close family and friends. The decision came about when Friedman lost her wedding ring, and she felt it was the perfect time for a renewal ceremony, with no need to prove anything to anyone.

“We didn’t do it to prove everyone wrong, but at the same time, my advocacy is to break stereotypes,” Friedman, now 37, stated.

Nothing could stop her from loving life.

Friedman continues to lead an inspiring life as a devoted wife, mother, para-athlete who plays wheelchair rugby, and advocate for people with disabilities. Her love for her husband remains strong, and together, they’re raising their daughter with the utmost care and dedication. Parenthood has been the most fulfilling experience for both of them, and they cherish every moment with their darling daughter.

Read these articles too, as they’ll surely put a big smile on your face!

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