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Happily Ever After: Local Couple With Cerebral Palsy Gets Married
May 16, 2016
A local couple with cerebral palsy married Saturday in an emotional ceremony in Century. Family believes that they are first married couple in Florida where both suffer from cerebral palsy.
Cody Michael Smith of Byrneville graduated from Northview High School in 2008. A short time later, he first laid eyes on Cristy Yevtte Rush at United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida in Pensacola.
The friendship, and then their romance, blossomed — visiting UCP and Christy was the best part of Cody’s life. Until his world came crashing down when the state transferred Cristy to a home in Fort Walton Beach.
“Cody could not stand living without her,” Cody’s brother Chad Smith said. “We would get him to Fort Walton Beach to see her when we could, but it was hard to do very often.”
Cody’s family waited for a room to open at the group home, and then they moved Cody to Fort Walton Beach to be with the love of his life about three years ago.
Dreams came true Saturday as the couple, both confined to wheelchairs, exchanged vows in a small ceremony in Century.
Cody waited at the alter in his wheelchair with smile wider than his black bow tie. Cristy’s empty wheelchair was next to him, as the beautiful bride was helped to walk down the aisle in her flowing white wedding gown.
In an unscripted moment after the ceremony, Cody and Cristy were lifted to their feet for their first dance.
The couple will reside in the Fort Walton Beach Developmental Center.
As they embark on their happily ever after, the couple expressed their thanks to all that attended their perfect day, because fairy tale dreams do come true.
Photos by Morgan Odom for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
42 Responses to “Happily Ever After: Local Couple With Cerebral Palsy Gets Married”
Congrats from your friend. Casey
Sweet Cody I wish you all the best. Mrs. Edwards
We wish the two of you a happy and blessed future!!!
Oh how I love happy endings! Forever and always:)
Such a sweet love story !
Sweetest thing ever!! I wish you many many years of happiness together!!
Congratulations!! We wish them many happy years together!!
Congratulations !!
Cody & Cristy, CONGRATULATIONS & may God bless you, both.
To Tami, I know you are so very proud of Cody & the young man he’s become.
I am proud of them that they did not let their disability stop them from living life to the fullest they are two of the bravest people,there is.I have a Grandson that has C.P. and is in a whgeelchair,he is at home with us and we take care of him.and we are very proud of him,I am proud of anyone with a disability that does not let it stop them.I hope them the best in the future.
I was having a really bad Monday…..until I read this!
I am now feeling quite guilty that my day seemed ruined by frivolous things that really do not matter, and quite frankly, pretty silly now that I reflect back on my morning.
Stories like this make you put everything in perspective. Congratulations Cody & Christie, may God always be with you two. Congratulations!
Congrats Christy and Cody boy u sure grew to be a beautiful woman Christy wish y’all the best Tammy,Michael,and shelina we love ya
Yes, Chris in Molino, you are correct, there is a God, & he is Perfect! Reminds me of Jeremiah 29:11, one of my go to verses, that reminds me that my bad days are of the devil, not our God. May this new couple have plenty of happy years & plenty of good times, this gives me hope & happiness for many couples. Couples these days need all the help to stay together that they can get. I don’t think this couple will need much, they look so precious. May God Bless them for many years!
No words, just admiration for the beautiful couple.
It was such a blessing to have you on my bus for several years. Watched your love grow for Cristy and so thankful I could attend the wedding. God is good. Love you both.
Beautiful love story! And yes, I burst a tear!
A love story! What a great way to start the week! I’m so happy for both of them!
How adorable. Love this sweet story.
What a great story to kick off a Monday. Congratulations to you both. Your smiles are contagious.
My daughter went to.school with Cody . I think this is great . Congrats guys
So awesome! Congrats kids. I wondered where you went Cody.
That is awesome, and SO sweet. Congratulations to this cute couple. God bless your lives together.
Congratulations to Cody and Christy! May you have many long years together!
What a heart-lifting story! Long life and prosperity to the newlyweds!
What a lovely couple, Congratulations!
@ Don: Good one!
What a lovely story!! Congratulations to this beautiful couple!! May God bless you with many happy years!!
One of the sweetest love stories ever. Congratulations!
That is a beautiful true story! Congratulations and wish you two happiness always!
May God bless you with a long happy marriage. So happy for you both.
What a beautiful story and a beautiful couple. Bless you both! Congratulations!!!
Just precious. God is so good. Blessings on them both.
damn onions!!
Congraultions to you both. GOD bless yall
Congratulations, Cody. I am so happy for you.
Beautiful just beautiful. Congratulations.
Wonderful story. Wishing them long love and happiness!
I am so happy for both of you! What a great day that was for all of you!
Such a sweet story, Congratulations to you both.
I went to school with Cody, I’m so glad to see this. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations Cody and Christy. You are a beautiful couple.
This is one of the small miracles that let me know there is a God.
I wish them many years of happiness together!!!
This is awesome! Congratulations!