Bride Marries Husband Trapped Inside His Own Body Just Two Weeks After Stroke
A woman who married her husband two weeks after he suffered a stroke that left him “trapped inside his own body” says she wants to be by his side “in sickness and in health” and wants others to be aware of the warning signs.
Primary school teacher Alyson Brown, 36, met her now-husband Steven Brown, 39, on Tinder two years ago and got engaged in August 2023. However, their plans took a dramatic turn when Steven experienced intense pain and dizziness before suffering a stroke in June this year. After recovering from the first stroke, Steven had a second, more severe stroke, shouting, “Alyson ring 999, this is it,” before collapsing, reported Gloucestershire Live.
Steven, from Newcastle, is now entirely paralyzed with locked-in syndrome, able to see and hear but communicating solely through blinking—two blinks for yes and one for no. Initially, devastated by his condition, Steven wanted his ventilator turned off. His best friend, Kris Leighton, 43, said, “The medical staff pretty much said that he’s got no chance of any quality of life at all.”
Despite this, the couple had a “perfect” wedding ceremony in the intensive care unit on June 27, where Alyson wore a white wedding dress, and Steven’s 16-year-old son placed the ring on her finger. This heartwarming event renewed Steven’s will to live. Kris shared, “Once he got married and saw all the support and love he’s gotten, it made him change his mind and want to fight on.”
Before the strokes, Steven, a football enthusiast who played semi-professionally for Dunston UTS Football Club, first experienced symptoms in April. After being misdiagnosed with high blood pressure, his condition worsened, leading to a severe stroke in June. Alyson recounted the terrifying moment, “I am so glad I did because he sat bolt upright and just shouted my name—‘Alyson, ring 999, this is it’—and then he had fits and seizures on that sofa in front of me.”
Despite undergoing an operation that removed multiple clots, Steven did not recover movement, leading to his diagnosis of locked-in syndrome. Alyson, determined to support her husband, said, “Marriage is in sickness and in health, I am here by your side, and whatever you need, that’s what we’ll do.”
Steven’s friends and family have rallied around him, with Kris organizing charity events to support his healthcare. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to raise funds. Alyson urges anyone experiencing strange symptoms to speak up and seek medical attention, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
Steven’s journey continues with physical therapy and around-the-clock care, as his family remains hopeful for his progress. Despite the challenges, their love and commitment shine through, providing inspiration and strength in the face of adversity.