Every bride believes that her wedding should be the most unforgettable day of their life and for Heather Duquette, the events that greeted her during her own wedding are certainly memories that would last a lifetime: her wheelchair-bound father stood up and walked her down the aisle. Not many brides can say that about their own weddings.
Ralph Duquette was diagnosed with leukemia in 2012 and, from that day, it was a continuing struggle for his entire family. Like many leukemia patients, he chose to undergo extensive chemotherapy to fight the disease but it had left him unable to walk, forcing him to depend on his wheelchair to get around. When his cancer was in remission, he decided to take his chances and try walking again but he fell and was injured. It was an injury that eventually caused him blindness in one eye.
When Heather got engaged, she and her father had communicated and they had agreed that even though they both wanted it, they had to accept that Ralph does not have the strength to walk his only daughter down the aisle.
Ralph wouldn't give up so easily, though. He was determined to be the one to walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day so he worked hard alongside his physical therapists and practiced walking. It took him all summer but his efforts paid off.
On Oct. 10, during Heather's wedding in Old Orchard Beach, Maine and with only his physical therapists, caretaker and the DJ as his accomplices, Ralph stood up from his wheelchair to the surprise of his daughter and the wedding guests, walked with her and handed her to her intended as Train's "Marry Me" played in the background.
"It was so amazing, she was so happy. It was something that every father dreams of," Ralph said.
To top it off, Ralph and Heather also had a father-daughter dance during the reception.
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