«Breaking News» Couple tie the knot a year before their 'dream wedding' was because wife was told she won't live

After 16 years together Kelly and Greg Standen planned a lavish wedding with 120 guests for October next year.

But the Sydney-based couple, who both have spina bifida, were told to move the nuptials forward - because Kelly, 37, may not live long enough to say 'I do'.

'I told my doctor all the plans for the wedding… and he said, "If I was you, I would push it as far forward as possible, because in my opinion you won't be around in October next year",' Kelly told FEMAIL.

After 16 years together Kelly and Greg Standen (pictured) planned a lavish wedding with 120 guests for October next year

What is spina bifida?

It is one of a class of serious birth defects called neural tube defects (NTD). 

It is an abnormality of the folding of the posterior surface of the embryo, which normally forms the vertebral column with its muscles and the spinal cord and the spinal nerves.

Because of this abnormality, the growing embryo does not develop normally and the spinal cord and nerves are exposed on the surface of the back, instead of being inside a canal of bone surrounded by muscle.

This means that the spinal cord and nerves can be easily damaged.

Source: Better Health 

So her dreams of arriving in a horse-drawn carriage to Auburn's Botanical Gardens and jetting off on a honeymoon cruise around Australia were put aside.

Instead the pair organised an outdoor service in Greg's backyard and had two close friends by their side as witnesses.

Their celebrant Lou Szymkow said that despite the hasty preparations, it was still a moment of pure joy and love.

'They are very loving to each other,' he said.

'Greg is completely and utterly infatuated with Kelly, he's constantly looking out for her.

'The wedding was a very beautiful moment. The sheer joy in her face as they made the announcement, it was very heart-warming. 

Their celebrant Lou Szymkow said that despite the hasty preparations, it was still a moment of pure joy and love

Greg's balance became unsteady at the age of 25 - after years of playing football and participating in athletics carnivals - before he was told 'to prepare for life in a wheelchair'

'I think they were both overwhelmed… I can feel my own tears welling up now.'  

Greg's balance became unsteady at the age of 25 - after years of playing football and participating in athletics carnivals - before he was told 'to prepare for life in a wheelchair'.

That was almost 20 years ago. 

For Kelly who was diagnosed with Syringomyelia, a build-up of fluid on her spinal cord, at 30 things are far more complicated.

'My brain is herniating: It's sucking my brain stem into my spine, and it's crushing every internal organ in my body,' she explained.

But despite the outlook the couple still turn towards their many years together as a source of hope

But despite the outlook the couple still turn towards their many years together as a source of hope.

'We met in 1999 playing wheelchair football. We were on the same team,' Greg said. 

'Kelly told one of her close friends that she liked me but I didn't find out until later.'

The casual way in which they met has been followed by a serious of laid back proposals of marriage over the years - but one day it stuck.

'We were sitting at our local bowling club and Kelly said "Let's get married!" I thought she just wanted to discuss the idea of marriage but after awhile I realised she was serious,' Greg said.

Now that they've tied the knot Greg and Kelly are still hoping they might have the second wedding of their dreams

'I'm a woman who knows what she wants,' Kelly joked. 

Now that they've tied the knot Greg and Kelly are still hoping they might have the second wedding of their dreams.

They're both working for The Big Issue in a bid to garner more funds and have yet to set another date but they're hopeful the white wedding will go ahead.

For now though, they're very happy.

'I've always wanted to marry Greg. It's a good feeling. We're just trying to adjust to living arrangements. But once that settles down we can live like a married couple,' Kelly said.

'I love my husband.'

You can help fund the couple's dream wedding by visiting this registry.

Link article

https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/16/couple-tie-the-knot-a-year-before-their-dream-wedding-was-because-wife-was-told-she-wont-live/
Main photo article After 16 years together Kelly and Greg Standen planned a lavish wedding with 120 guests for October next year.
But the Sydney-based couple, who both have spina bifida, were told to move the nuptials forward – because Kelly, 37, may not live long enough to say ‘I do’.
‘I...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Femail HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/14/03/5026746800000578-6166515-After_16_years_together_Kelly_and_Greg_Standen_planned_a_lavish_-m-9_1536892998263.jpg