…By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media.
A wheelchair-using groom, Barry MacDowell, and his wife, Emma, who both have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), embarked on a remarkable journey to make their wedding day extraordinary.
They met through an MS support platform, bonded over their shared sense of humor, and eventually decided to tie the knot.
Barry, determined to stand for their first dance, underwent a year of physiotherapy.
With the support of a team of neuro-physiotherapists, he surprised their guests and left everyone amazed.
Finding Love Amidst Similar Challenges:
Barry MacDowell, 49, and Emma, 36, connected through an MS support platform, where they discovered their shared experiences and a similar sense of humor.
Emma and her son, Corbhan Doyle, moved in with Barry in Kinmylies, Inverness, Scotland, after they became a couple.
Their bond grew stronger, leading to Barry’s proposal in 2021 and the beginning of their wedding preparations.
The Goal: Dancing on Their Wedding Day:
Barry had been using a wheelchair since 2018 due to his MS, and he was determined to stand and join Emma for their first dance on their wedding day.
The couple chose to keep this plan a surprise, involving only a select few in making it happen.
Their chosen songs were a medley of ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran and ‘Shut Up And Dance’ by Walk the Moon.
The wedding was set for April 8, 2023, at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, Scotland.
The Surprise Unveiled:
On the wedding day, as the couple danced to their chosen medley, Barry stunned the guests by remaining on his feet, supported by his physio team, for the entire song.
Emma was overwhelmed by the surprise, realizing for the first time that Barry was taller than her.
The experience created a different type of closeness for them, and they both expressed a desire to relive that moment again.
Overcoming MS Challenges:
Barry was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) in 2015 after a decade-long wait for a diagnosis.
The delay in receiving proper treatment led to a worsening of his condition and his reliance on a wheelchair.
Emma, too, was diagnosed with MS following meningitis when she was 29.
However, due to a timely diagnosis in 2016, she was able to receive treatment earlier, enabling her to walk, although she faced other MS-related challenges.
Finding Love and Shared Connections:
As single parents at the time, Barry and Emma connected through an MS support group on Facebook in 2017.
They met in person at their MS group’s Christmas meet in Glasgow that year and spent the entire weekend together.
Their visits between Portsmouth and Inverness became frequent, and by September 2018, Emma and Corbhan had moved in with Barry.
Despite their differences, they shared a love for Oasis and the bond of having MS, which strengthened their relationship.
Overcoming Loss and Embracing Marriage:
In early 2021, Barry proposed to Emma.
However, their wedding plans took a hit when Emma’s father, Robert Townsend, passed away in July of that year.
Emma initially questioned the purpose of getting married without her father, but Barry’s suggestion of having a quiet wedding made her realize her desire to share the day with loved ones.
They booked their wedding venue in early 2022, and the countdown began.
Physiotherapy for the Big Day:
With a year until their wedding, Barry conceived the idea of undergoing special physiotherapy to learn to stand so he could dance with Emma.
They sought assistance from Move4ward, an organization specializing in neuro-physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
The therapists worked with Barry over numerous sessions, helping him practice walking on parallel bars and a zero-gravity treadmill.
Although initial attempts with leg braces proved painful, the plan was for the Move4ward team to support Barry during the dance.
The Unforgettable Dance:
As their wedding day approached, only Emma, Barry, and the therapists knew what was about to happen during their first dance.
Discreetly dressed in black and wearing balaclavas to avoid stealing the limelight, the Move4ward team assisted Barry onto his feet as ‘Thinking Out Loud’ played.
He remained standing for the entire one minute and thirty-second dance, the longest he had ever stood.
The emotional moment brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.
A Remarkable Achievement and a New Chapter:
Barry expressed his pride in accomplishing his goal, despite the soreness he experienced afterward.
Since their wedding, the couple has cherished their married life, with Barry frequently watching their wedding video.
Their story serves as a testament to determination, love, and the power of overcoming challenges.
The assistance provided by Move4ward played a crucial role in making their dream come true, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
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