One of the most anticipated parts of a wedding ceremony is when the bride walks down the aisle towards her groom who’s waiting for her with a smile. It’s breathtaking to watch a bride in all her splendor with her beautiful dress and bouquet of flowers on her big day. Not everybody gets to experience this memorable moment in quite the same way, however.
Jaquie Goncher was paralyzed from the neck down after a swimming incident when she was only 17, thereby crushing any hope of one day walking down the aisle. But miracles do happen. This is her story.
Jaquie was 17 when an accident left her paralyzed from the neck down.
Doctors said she would never again be able to walk.
She’s been going through therapy for years, and it has been a long, difficult, and emotional journey.
She was an athlete and knowing she couldn’t even perform the simplest exercises frustrated her immensely.
But she never gave up hope.
She was determined to walk again.
Then she got engaged and had a wedding to plan.
This motivated her to work even harder in her therapy.
She wanted so much to walk down the aisle like other brides. But alas, on her wedding day, she arrived in her wheelchair.
When the time came for her to walk down the aisle, however, she slowly stood up out of her chair.
Much to everyone’s astonishment, she then walked down the aisle with her mom and grandfather.
There was hardly a dry eye in the room as she walked slowly towards Andy, her groom.
He too had tears in his eyes even though he was aware of the surprise.
Jaquie even danced with her groom. It was the first time they’d ever been able to dance together.
As a gift, Jaquie’s mom hired an artist to capture the moment in watercolor.
It’s safe to say that no one in attendance at that wedding will ever forget it.
(via BoredPanda)
Jaquie never gave up hope, and she showed that with enough hard work, dedication, and persistence, anything can be accomplished. Who would’ve thought she’d ever walk again after being paralyzed? She got to walk down the aisle at her wedding, and it was extremely special for her and her family, as well as her guests, who were definitely stunned at seeing her on her feet again.
