Former NRL player Alex McKinnon honours promise to stand at wedding to Teigan Power

FOR the past three years, Teigan Power has stood stoically beside her inspirational fiance, Alex McKinnon. Today, Alex plans to climb out of his wheelchair to stand tall opposite his beautiful bride.

Alex McKinnon and Teigan Power are getting married today. Picture: Instagram

FOR the past three years, Teigan Power has stood stoically beside her inspirational fiancee, Alex McKinnon.

This afternoon, it’s Alex who plans to climb out of his wheelchair to stand tall opposite his beautiful bride.

The emotion-charged moment that Alex and Teigan thought would never arrive — is here.

Alex will marry his most loyal and loving partner Teigan, in front of 150 closest family, friends and the NRL’s biggest names, on a certain-to-be-moving Sunday in the Hunter Valley.

League luminaries including Wayne Bennett, Andrew Johns, Trent Merrin, Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley, Dane Gagai and Beau Scott will be among the football fraternity.

Teigan has supported Alex throughout his injury and rehabilitation. Picture: Nick Leary

Australian Test fullback and Brisbane Broncos captain Darius Boyd will stand beside Alex, as his best man.

Teigan has chosen her older sister Abbey as her maid of honour.

With tears streaming down his face, McKinnon — who suffered a devastating spinal injury in a catastrophic tackle while playing for Newcastle in 2014 — proposed to Teigan from his hospital bed, just seven days after suffering the life-changing injury in Melbourne.

“Of course I will,’’ Teigan replied, when Alex popped the question.

The happy couple.

McKinnon walking with assistance during rehab.

In that moment, with no movement in his legs, Alex, 25, pledged to the world that he would walk his “soldier” Teigan, 23, down the aisle on their wedding day.

With incredible fight, spirit and torturous daily rehabilitation to spark movement and strength back into his legs, Alex will defy the doctors original diagnosis, to stand on his own two feet for the couple’s wedding vows this afternoon.

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The frustration, strain and focus during repetitive rehab — despite constant uncertainty any improvement will be made — to train his glute muscles, hips and knees to “lock-in together”, while being helped to stand-up from his chair, has proven both gruelling and rewarding.

Frequently updated video posted on Teigan’s Instagram of Alex rising from his chair and walking with the assistance of a frame and two trusted rehabilitation staff, from the Gold Coast’s Making Strides, offers only a small glimpse of the “lucky progression”, he has described regularly in interviews.

It’s difficult to believe that three years ago, the entire rugby league community gathered as one to ‘Rise For Alex.’

Yet with the assistance of his groomsmen and a support stand, Alex will rise for his bride.

Alex McKinnon during his rugby league career. Picture: Renee McKay/Getty Images

Alex McKinnon in hospital with Teigan after he was injured.

His mission to walk one day, continues.

For today, nobody will notice the wheelchair.

Those privileged to be in attendance will witness an unbreakable bond, formed from that very first moment when the two teenagers from country NSW met in 2011, at a pub birthday party in Denman when Teigan was just 16.

They will learn of a young couple’s respect, dedication and gratitude in the face of impossible adversity.

Guests will hear how, when the couple’s world had been turned upside down in 2014, Alex demanded from his hospital bed that Teigan chase her own goals and complete a degree in primary school teaching.

Teigan is now a Year 4 teacher at St Benedicts Primary.

Alex has vowed to stand for his wedding vows.

Teigan and Alex in New York.

They will smile at the energetic couple who refuse to let life hold them back; their recent travels together, alone, to New York, no greater example.

They will applaud Teigan’s willingness to transport her fiance Alex to corporate speaking engagements and his work with Fox Sports in a modified van — and laugh at his shirty back-seat driving.

They will realise too, this is a couple in love — no different.

Absolutely, there’ll be tears, uncontrollable just like three years ago.

The powerful sight of Alex standing, awaiting his bride at the end of the alter, is a moment very few considered possible.

The couple during their travels.

It will be the most extraordinary photograph of the year, one of which NRL administrators should poster; a permanent image to illustrate the courage, of ‘never giving up.’

For Teigan, the sight of her husband-to-be standing, will be no greater wedding gift and perhaps no better explained, than her interview with The Sunday Telegraph’s Body and Soul magazine, last year.

“It doesn’t worry me if he walks me (down the aisle), or is just standing at the altar; I still get to marry the man of my dreams,’’ Teigan said.

* David Riccio is the author of Alex McKinnon’s autobiography, Unbroken and will be among Alex and Teigan’s wedding guests.