See photos: How freak incident led to wedding for loving couple
All love stories are unique but this one may just take the cake. Here’s how love triumphed after a woman’s hand was almost completely severed.
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One of the most traumatic times of their lives has a silver lining and has resulted in one extraordinary couple tying the knot.
When Rachel Wigan (nee Salisbury) was operating a ride-on mower on her Silver Ridge property late last year, her left arm was almost completely severed when the mower rolled down a hill and she came into contact with the blades.
The freak incident resulted in the detachment of a large part of her hand and two fingers and she underwent various surgeries and specialist therapy since.
And although the moment was nothing less than horrific, its impact signified the importance of seizing the day.
“It really hit me when I was lying in the emergency department at Toowoomba Hospital – I was absolutely terrified and didn’t know what was going on, but I just remember opening my eyes at one stage and saw (her now husband) David standing there,” Mrs Wigan said.
“The look on his face just broke my heart, and I just realised how much I loved and needed him, so I proposed to him then and there.”
Mrs Wigan, who works as a teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes, has been off work for eight months for several intensive surgeries and while she recovers.
With two short months before her next procedure in March, the couple decided the time was now or never.
“I haven’t seen the kids at school for eight months, so I really wanted to go back as Mrs Wigan, as a bit of a fresh start,” Mrs Wigan said.
“Work have been so amazing with all the allowances they’ve made for me and everything that they’re doing to support me … everything takes me so much longer now and it’s double the time to do things which I find a bit frustrating.”
The pair got married at Wellcamp Airport on January 15 and they were the first couple to say ‘I do’ at the venue.
Surrounded by their children who made up the bridal party and 130 guests, the couple said their special day was perfect, despite a few Covid-related hiccups.
With the state’s new restrictions including all guests needing to be double vaccinated for parties with more than 20 people and the recent increase of cases, some guests were sadly unable to attend.
In a heartwarming gesture, staff and parents from Our Lady of Lourdes all offered their time and services on the big day.
“The photographer, celebrant, MC, cake maker, wedding planner, make-up and hair artists – everything was people from Lourdes,” Mrs Wigan said.
“That was pretty special because they all came together to make it possible … we really do have the an amazing community full of some fantastic people.”
Mr and Mrs Wigan, who have been together for almost nine years, plan to celebrate their honeymoon in the Maldives when international travel is back on the cards.
“Nothing is too much trouble for David – he’s a very giving person, and I love how he makes me always feel wanted and needed,” Mrs Wigan said.
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