Paraplegic man goes to the altar
The life of Matt Ficarra has changed dramatically in 2011. In a diving accident, the then 27-year-old breaks his neck and is paraplegic. He was told that he would never be able to move from the chest down, but after a while he felt some body parts again.
When he got engaged last December, he set himself new goals. High goals. He vowed not to drive to the altar in his wheelchair at his wedding. And he did it. He was helped by his willpower - and a robot. This wrapped around his legs like a corset and reinforced his back. It is geared for paraplegic people who still have a little strength in their arms. The device is normally only used in rehabilitation facilities. But that did not bother the ambitious Matt Ficarra. Since April 2014, he has been training for the wedding, for the walk to the altar.
The joy is to see him when the big day has come. For safety, his trainer goes from rehab behind him. But he does not need this support. For the moment he says in an interview, "It feels great to be married, and I've achieved my goal of going back to my wedding." His wife beamed: "It was his dream, it does not matter to me, I want to have him with me for the rest of my life - standing or sitting."
