Andy Nowak, 32, waited anxiously at the altar. He was looking forward to his sweetheart, Natalie Preston, 32, who was walking up the aisle in her wheelchair.
Save me by all means
But Natalie had a surprise in store. She was taken to the church on wheels, but she stood carefully inside the doors from her wheelchair. With one hand securely in the arm of her father Lawrence (71), she proudly put one foot in front of the other until she reached Andy.
There was no dry eye in church, and the expression on Andy’s face was priceless, says Natalie’s mother Sally Preston (65).
She didn’t give up: Mums Sally and Natalie defied doctors’ expectations. Photo: Matt Barbour
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He didn’t want to see my pictures
life is over
Sally and Lawrence from Merseyside in the UK knew right away that something was wrong with their daughter when she was born. But the doctors refused to listen to the worried parents.
Only nine months later, a young doctor took them seriously, discovering that the girl had cerebral palsy.
Three months later, a specialist confirmed it.
– He said that Natalie would not be able to walk or speak. Sally says they thought her life was over before it even started.
My first relationship with a girl
But parents wanted more for their daughter. Day after day, they trained with her. When Natalie was two years old, Sally found a charity that supports children with neurological disorders. Their idea is that when one part of the brain is not working, you have to wake up other areas of the brain to take over.
Two months after the girl started training, she was able to crawl. After that, it turned from blow to blow.
Challenging task: mom Sally and three-year-old Natalie. Just a year ago I learned to crawl! Brainwave.org.uk – has been key to Natalie’s progress. Photo: Matt Barbour
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refute everything
In addition to intensive training, Natalie underwent several chiropractic and joint operations. And with unremitting efforts, Natalie managed to refute the doctors’ predictions of doomsday.
She left elementary school with good grades, got a master’s degree in animation – and landed her dream job at the BBC.
I have a wonderful life and I love telling my story to people hoping to inspire them.
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In 2018, she met Andy via Match.com. It was love at first sight, and Sally and Lawrence had no doubts that Andy would marry their daughter.
– Just like us, he doesn’t see Natalie’s physical challenges. Sally says he only sees the wonderful woman that she is.
And the wedding was a happy day for all of them. Natalie defended her first full dance with her husband – to the tune of Celine Dion’s “Because You Love Me”.
Proud Parents: Sally and Lawrence refused to give up when doctors said there was no hope for their daughter. They were proud and touched to see their daughter as a bride! Photo: Matt Barbour
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