Sunday, June 4, 2023
HomeNewsParalysed rugby player stands again for the first time in 15 years...

Paralysed rugby player stands again for the first time in 15 years on his wedding day

| Source: menmedia.co.uk

A former rugby player who was paralysed from the neck down stood again for the first time – on his wedding day.

John Power was just 18 when he suffered a devastating spinal cord injury while playing for Oldham RLFC A team. It ended his promising career as a professional rugby player.

But, John, 33, was determined to live life to the full and has battled for the last 15 years to gradually recover some movement.

He said: “To be able to stand next to Julie is a dream come true. She has been my rock and even though I cannot physically stand by her on a daily basis I wanted to make a special effort on our wedding day to show that I will be symbolically standing by her forever.

“Although I couldn’t stand for the service I was determined I would do it for our photographs.

“It was really emotional and a lot of people were surprised by how tall I am.”

Julie, 28, a teacher at Springhead Infant and Nursery school in Oldham, said: “I met John when he was seated in a wheelchair and to me it makes no difference whether he stands or not, he is still the same person that I fell in love with.”

Jessica Beckett

1 COMMENT

- Advertisment -

Must Read

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Join an event or webinar, and engage in the discussion of how to make the internet more accessible to all, including a wide range...