BRIDE WITH BONES OF 100-YR-OLD MAKES IT TO ALTAR
A BRIDE with the “bones of a 100-year-old” walked for the first time in more than a decade as she made it down the aisle on her wedding day.
Jessica Taylor, 26, endured years of gruelling physiotherapy to make it to the altar on her own two feet. aisle – but that was a huge task and a huge ask for me.
“But I had planned it for two years and it was a wonderful day. It was the perfect wedding.
“It was amazing for Sam as well because he knew how dedicated I was to be able to do this.
“He knew how important it was to me. It’s every guy’s dream seeing the one they love walking down the aisle. It was just amazing.”
To prepare for the challenge Jessica, a charity campaigner from Rochester, Kent, had two years of physio, occupational therapy and specialist treatments.
She had been bedridden for so long she developed osteoporosis. Doctors told her she had the bone density of an old lady before she turned 20.
But Jessica defied even her own expectations, and managed to stand for her wedding photographs and a first dance to Rachel Platten’s A Better Place. She added: “Being able to stand up with my bridesmaids and have our pictures taken was really special.
“The other highlight was being able to do the first dance. Sam also just picked me up and swept me off my feet. “It was such a good day.” Eighty friends and family joined Jessica and Sam for the celebration in Upnor, Kent. More came later for the reception.
The newlyweds are planning a cruise through the Norwegian fjords for their honeymoon.
Jessica was captain of her netball team and on track to secure grades for a top university when she was first hit by her condition.
She has written a book chronicling the worst years of her illness when she could not move or speak. She hopes to publish A Girl Behind Dark Glasses following a Kickstarter campaign which raised £6,450.