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    I was paralyzed by my best friend at my bachelorette party — she still served as my bridesmaid

    By Asia Grace,

    20 days ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4KVHyL_0uDXFOvK00

    Rachelle Chapman’s wedding day looked a little different than she’d planned.

    While most brides walk down the aisle, the blushing blond was escorted to the altar in a wheelchair after being paralyzed in a freak accident before her nuptials.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1uQGGR_0uDXFOvK00
    Bride paralyzed by best friend weeks before her wedding. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels

    “When my best friend pushed me in a pool at my bachelorette party,” wrote Chapman , 38, from Raleigh, North Carolina, in the closed-captions of a trending tell-all.

    “I was permanently paralyzed.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1dgKiK_0uDXFOvK00
    Chapman has shared her healing journey of love with millions on TikTok. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels

    Chapman did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for a comment.

    ‘Chill’ bride wanted to ban cell phones at wedding — but is that too much to ask?

    In the clip, which has garnered over 20 million TikTok views, Chapman, who became a quadriplegic in May 2010 at age 24, explains that while she isn’t thrilled about her lifelong condition, she’s decided to adopt a cheery outlook.

    “I will never like being paralyzed,” said the married mom-of-one. “But it’s all about looking at the positive things in life.”

    Chapman, a content creator and author, previously shared the details of her journey on TLC special “Rattled: A Paralyzed Mother’s Story” in 2017. She recounted the harrowing incident for online followers on the anniversary of her injury this spring.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3s8lg5_0uDXFOvK00
    In remembrance of her life-altering injury, Chapman recounted the accident to online audiences in May. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels

    “14 years ago today my whole world was rocked,” Chapman captioned a post explaining the unfortunate accident.

    “I was 24-years-old and life was on a fantastic path,” she said. “I had bought a house, got my first real job and had just gotten engaged to my college sweetheart.”

    Then, catastrophe struck.

    “It was time for my bachelorette party and I was so excited,” remembered the millennial. “But after a fun night with friends, we came back to the house to go swimming. In a playful gesture, a friend pushed me in the pool.”

    We couldn’t afford a $30K NYC wedding reception — so we had one on the L train instead

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0C6OOm_0uDXFOvK00
    The push left Chapman with a broken neck and an instant spinal cord injury. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels

    Unprepared for the rowdy roughhousing, Chapman fell into the water headfirst. The fall broke her neck and caused an instant spinal cord injury.

    However, in 2011, after undergoing a year of rehab, she and supportive husband Chris tied the knot in front loved ones — including the woman responsible for her enduring immobility.

    In fact, the unnamed pal behind the push served as one of Chapman’s bridesmaids.

    “I could go into detail about everything that happened that night,” said Chapman. “But now, the story is about love, family, and overcoming odds.”

    “We got married a year later, had a baby girl four years after that and [are now] living our best life,” she gushed. “In a lot of ways I’m really really lucky.”

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0XmKuA_0uDXFOvK00
    Chapman and Chris have built a happy life and family together despite her physical limitations. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels

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    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3C3IXT_0uDXFOvK00
    The loving couple exchanged “I Do’s” a year after Chapman’s paralyzing fall. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1hj8QE_0uDXFOvK00
    Chapman is ever-grateful for Chris’ unyielding love an support. TikTok / @rachelles_wheels

    And she’s right.

    Sadly, a handful of brides-to-be never got to experience their happily ever afters following unexpected tragedies.

    Samantha Hutchinson, 34, was killed by a drunk driver mere moments after her April 2023 nuptials.

    And widow Jhonnie Mae Davis, 44, has unpleasantly been nicknamed the “one-hour wife” after her groom, Toraze, suffered a fatal heart attack within minutes of their June 2023 vows.

    @rachelles_wheels

    14 years ago today my whole world was rocked. I was 24 years old and life was on a fantastic path. I had bought a house, got my first real job and had just gotten engaged to my college sweetheart. It was time for my bachelorette party and I was so excited! But after a fun night with friends, we came back to the house to go swimming in a playful gesture. A friend pushed me in the pool. I was caught off guard, went headfirst and ended up breaking my neck, causing an instant spinal cord injury. I could go into detail about everything that happened that night but now, the story is about love, family, and overcoming odds. We got married a year later, had a baby girl, four years after that and living our best life. Let me take this opportunity to say that I do want there to be a cure and I think about it often. But it’s possible to want that and still get on with life being grateful for what you currently have. And a lot of ways I’m really really lucky and I know that. my message to you is to stay grateful, humble and kind…. and be careful around water :) #Accident #Couples #CouplesGoals #RelationshipGoals #inspring #fyp

    ♬ Rise Up – Andra Day

    Chapman hopes her story inspires folks facing misfortunes similar to her situation.

    “Let me take this opportunity to say that I do want there to be a cure and I think about it often,” said the advocate. “But it’s possible to want that and still get on with life being grateful for what you currently have, and I know that.”

    “My message to you is to stay grateful, humble and kind,” she continued. “And be careful around water.”

    For the latest in lifestyle, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/lifestyle/

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