$$ She Married A Disabled Person, But A Big Surprise Awaited Her At The Wedding
Weddings are an emotional day for everyone. But some weddings stand out among the rest, especially in the case of this couple. The bride was marrying her disabled partner, only to receive a huge surprise when she walked down the aisle. Let's just say; no one expected this surprise to happen. What was it that brought everyone to tears?
1. Kevin suffered an accident that turned out to become worse
People break their legs all the time. Broken limbs are a common injury, and usually easily treatable either with surgery or a cast. This is what Kevin expected to happen when he accidentally broke his leg. He expected to be in a cast for several weeks, allowing his leg to heal.
But, things took a toll for the worst when Kevin realized something wrong was happening to his leg. After going to the doctors for a check-up, it was discovered that Kevin's broken leg had turned into something worse, and extremely rare. What happened to Kevin's leg?
2. What happened to Kevin's leg?
Kevin's leg took a turn for the worst when doctors told him he had contracted a nerve disorder called Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). The disorder causes chronic pain, and it's due to damaged tissue, which causes malfunctioning of the sympathetic nervous system. What was even worse was doctors told him it was the worst case of RSD they've ever seen. Imagine having the worst case of anything?
That's never a good sign for recovery. For ten years, Kevin was in the hospital once a month. Something needed to be done. So what was going to happen to Kevin's leg? How could he recover from his diagnosis?
3. Kevin says bye-bye to his leg
There are some conditions that cannot be treated, and his case of RSD was so severe there was only one option: amputation. Of course, he could keep his leg, but that would mean he'd live the rest of his life in non-stop pain. Kevin didn't want that to happen.
So, in 2009, Kevin made the brave decision to amputate his leg. The amputation resulted in Kevin being bound to a wheelchair, unable to walk. Kevin kept his spirits up and never complained. He said, "the way I look at it, it could always be worse."
4. But then suddenly, his life changed
They say once you hit rock bottom, it can only go up from there. For Kevin, having his leg amputated was an extremely challenging process to go through, but things were about to change for him in ways he couldn't imagine. One day, he met his future-fiance Kim Didway.
From then on, Kevin said his life had changed in a split second. Their eyes met, Kim was hypnotized by his smile. Kevin said, "the first time I saw her, it was love at first sight." But would she be able to handle his disability?
5. His disability wasn't seen as a challenge
After they met each other, they knew their love was meant to be. Several months after dating, Kevin proposed to Kim, and she gladly said yes. For Kim, the wheelchair didn't matter; what she focused on was the person inside.
Kim said, "I don't see the wheelchair at all, never have. It doesn't bother me. It's the person inside, not who they are physically. His heart makes up for any lack of limb he has. He's the most amazing human being I've ever met in entire life." And without hesitation, Kim and Kevin knew they weren't meant to be together. Now it was time to plan the wedding.
6. With wedding planning comes the secrets
When couples planning the wedding, there's always a chance for arguments to arise about themes, flowers, and decorations. Weddings aren't easy celebrations to organize. Some brides will hide receipts from their finances in hopes of getting what they want — not a good start for a marriage. But Kevin and Kim worked together and planned everything to the smallest detail for the perfect day to celebrate their love.
But during the planning, Kim thought she knew everything that was going on. But what she didn't know what Kevin had lied to her and was hiding something big. What was going on?
7. Kevin was hiding something big
Kevin wanted to surprise Kim for the wedding and show his true love and affection for her. But how was he going to do it? He was physically limited to make any grand gestures. What Kim didn't know was that Kevin was going behind her back and taking physical therapy lessons to learn how to walk. His goal was to be able to walk her down the aisle.
He dreamed of the moment when the priest would ask everyone to stand up; he would be able to do it too. But learning how to walk when missing a limb isn't easy. And there's no guarantee it's going to happen. So, did Kevin actually learned how to walk again? Or did all his hard work go down the drain?
8. The big day was here. But did Kevin learned how to walk?
It was the big day. Kevin looked dapper in his dress shirt and pants as he waited patiently in his chair in front of the alter. The music started to play, and the bride began her walk down the aisle. Her eyes met his, and there was an immediate smile on her face; she knew she was marrying the right man regardless of his physical limitations.
The priest then announced, "will everyone, please stand up." No one expected Kevin to stand; no one expected anything to happen. The pressure was all on Kevin. Did his dream come true? Was he able to stand in front of the altar and accept his wife-to-be?
9. Kevin achieved his dream
After the priest asked everyone to stand, Kevin grabbed his armrests and pushed himself up, coming to a full stand. No one helped him; he did it all on his own. He walked up to his bride, and they held each other as she cried of happiness in his arms. For Kevin, Kim was his medicine. Kim was the reason why he decided to learn how to walk instead of remaining in his wheelchair.
For Kevin, Kim was his inspiration to begin living his new life and starting a fresh chapter with his wife. But what did Kim think about it? How did she feel seeing Kevin walk up to her?
10. What did Kim think?
After the ceremony, Kim was overwhelmed. Not only did she just get married to her now-husband, but she also just witnessed him walk to her for the first time in their relationship. Kim said, "I just saw him walk for the first time today ever. And I'm blown away. I about fell over backward, I honestly did."
And weddings are already emotional, imagine being at this one! What can you take from this story? Well, aside from being positive, Kevin says, "love often, and live every minute of every day like it's your last day."
11. But Kevin's story isn't the only one that shows the power of love...
There are many people living with physical limitations around the world, and Kevin's story is just one example of how the mind can overcome obstacles that are in your way. But the story about Kevin isn't the only one that shows the power of love.
When walking down the aisle, the eyes are glued on the bride, admiring everything from the hair, to nails, to the big white dress. And this means the bride wants to look her best on her big day. The story of Jennifer Darmon is unlike any wedding story you've heard.
12. Not all brides have a dream this big
When a bride is preparing for her wedding, she's worrying about relatively small things. Whether the cake will arrive on time or if her dress is going to fit. In reality, all these things are minor issues that can be solved.
But for Jennifer, she had a huge dream to fulfill; she was going to need to teach herself how to walk. She wasn't always immobile; in fact, it was a tragic accident that bound her to a wheelchair.
13. The tragic accident that changed her life
In 2008, Jennifer suffered from a serious spinal cord injury after a car accident trapped her in a van. The injury was so severe; she was bound to a wheelchair, changing her life completely. When a horrific accident like that happens, it puts a lot of pressure on a relationship, causing many couples to crack under pressure.
Jennifer's boyfriend at the time was left with a difficult decision: does he stay in the relationship or break things off and meet someone without any physical limitations?
14. Her boyfriend made the right decision
Instead of leaving her, he stepped up and showed his true colors. Not everyone can handle being supportive for such a long period of time. He would drive three hours one-way, three days a week, to be with Jennifer during physical therapy.
The accident didn't create distance; it brought the couple closer together. Her boyfriend decided no matter what will happen in the future; he wanted Jennifer to be his wife. From that moment on, everything changed for Jennifer, and she decided to make a huge and possibly unachievable promise to herself.
15. A promise that may never come true
Jennifer was given inspiration, a new beginning, and decided she would walk down the aisle at her wedding. Now, this is a huge goal to make when you have a severe spinal cord injury. But for Jennifer, there were no limitations. At physical therapy, she practiced with supportive rails, and would sometimes practice in a borrowed wedding dress.
She said, "I will be walking down that aisle. It's not an iff or a maybe; it's absolutely going to happen." Though those words were genuine, could it actually happen? Would she really be able to walk down the aisle?
16. Then the big day came
In April 2011, Jennifer was getting ready to walk down the aisle. The hall doors opened, and Jennifer walked down the aisle, leg braces under her dress, holding onto her father and brother. The song Walk With You by Edwin McCain played in the background, and there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
Jennifer, as she promised, made it to the end of the aisle where her husband-to-be waited eagerly. When they both said, "I do," her husband picked her up and carried her down the aisle, into their new life.
17. Jennifer wedding ended perfectly
After the ceremony, Jennifer and her husband were able to have their first dance together as husband and wife, something that no one expected to happen. Jennifer's determination helped her overcome her physical limitations, and her dream came true.
It wasn't easy, the struggle she endured was constant, yet her husband and their love inspired her. Just as their wedding song said, " don't let the beauty of this life pass by/I'll take this slow, sweet walk with you."
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