AFTER GROOM HOL HORROR Paralysed by a freak accident on stag do but now I’m proud to be marrying love of my life
fundraising people have been doing for me and for that I can’t thank them enough.”
James, who has since retired from the fire service, now has a specially made walking frame and parallel bars in place at home to make him stronger.
And having astounded doctors with how quickly his condition has improved, he hopes to make a complete recovery. James said: “The doctors have warned me I probably won’t ever make a complete recovery, but they said I wouldn’t walk again and I have.
“I’ve come this far and nothing is going to hold me back now. The next thing we plan to do is have children and I want to be as active as I can with them.” James’s second stag do last month, was a night out in his home town of Boston, Lincs. The wedding was at Belvoir Castle in nearby Grantham, and, realising the ceremony would be more emotional than most, the venue provided tissues so the couple’s guests could dry their eyes.
And they were needed later, too, when Guests showering the happy couple with love and confetti and, right, James stands to exchange vows with Michaela James and Michaela had their first dance. Michaela said: “They were only expecting to see James on his feet for the ceremony, so to see us actually be able to have a first dance was incredible.
“We expected it to be really emotional but everyone at our wedding has been on this journey with us so I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.”
The newly-weds are now jetting off on a three-week honeymoon which includes Las Vegas, a Caribbean cruise and a return visit to Orlando, Florida.
Michaela, an assistant technical manager, said: “I just love Disney and it seemed the perfect way to mark such a miracle. I’m so proud of what James has managed to achieve. He’s a real hero.
“I know there will be no problem in our marriage that we cannot overcome.”