Paralysed bride stands to walk down aisle

A paralysed but determined bride walked down the aisle on her wedding day by her father's side after spending six years in a wheelchair.

Gina Giaffoglione from the state of Iowa became a paraplegic in 2008 following a car accident.

The former gymnast pushed herself to walk down the aisle in her September 13 ceremony where she became Mrs Gina Springhower, KETV reports.

She also wanted to give her father the chance to walk beside his only daughter on her special day.

"I'm my dad's only girl, and I'm the baby," she said.

"Dad deserves that."

For nearly a year and half, the bride-to-be worked on her lost skill with a crutch and brace while holding onto her father's arm.

Her wedding dress was specially altered to hide the brace with only her fiancé and a few family members aware of the surprise.

Wedding guests already on their feet were brought to tears when the bride stood to make her entrance.

Before taking the plunge, the soon-to-be Mrs Springhower said making the next major steps in her life was so overwhelming she felt like she was "floating".

"It's not even about the walking. Your emotions are floating. Everything just seems to feel so good at that moment," she said.

Source: KETV
Author: Nicholas McCallum, Approving editor: Nick Pearson