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”

  1. Casey Wooten on June 13th, 2016 3:49 pm

    Congrats from your friend. Casey

  2. Debora on May 19th, 2016 10:36 pm

    Sweet Cody I wish you all the best. Mrs. Edwards

  3. The Smiths on May 19th, 2016 6:41 pm

    We wish the two of you a happy and blessed future!!!

  4. Tracey on May 19th, 2016 9:43 am

    Oh how I love happy endings! Forever and always:)

  5. Evangeline on May 18th, 2016 10:56 am

    Such a sweet love story !

  6. mandy on May 18th, 2016 5:33 am

    Sweetest thing ever!! I wish you many many years of happiness together!!

  7. Joanne and Larry Bonds on May 17th, 2016 6:34 pm

    Congratulations!! We wish them many happy years together!!

  8. Tammy on May 17th, 2016 12:41 pm

    Congratulations !!

  9. Teresa Gradia on May 17th, 2016 4:21 am

    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.

  10. David Moye on May 17th, 2016 12:09 am

    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.

  11. Molino Mom on May 16th, 2016 7:23 pm

    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!

  12. tammy davis on May 16th, 2016 3:52 pm

    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

  13. One with Hope on May 16th, 2016 3:48 pm

    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!

  14. Carlos on May 16th, 2016 2:30 pm

    No words, just admiration for the beautiful couple.

  15. Elisa on May 16th, 2016 12:26 pm

    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.

  16. JLB on May 16th, 2016 12:00 pm

    Beautiful love story! And yes, I burst a tear!

  17. anne on May 16th, 2016 11:40 am

    A love story! What a great way to start the week! I’m so happy for both of them!

  18. molino resident on May 16th, 2016 11:27 am

    How adorable. Love this sweet story.

  19. just sayin on May 16th, 2016 10:35 am

    What a great story to kick off a Monday. Congratulations to you both. Your smiles are contagious.

  20. Laura on May 16th, 2016 10:01 am

    My daughter went to.school with Cody . I think this is great . Congrats guys

  21. Puddin on May 16th, 2016 9:42 am

    So awesome! Congrats kids. I wondered where you went Cody.

  22. EMD on May 16th, 2016 9:37 am

    That is awesome, and SO sweet. Congratulations to this cute couple. God bless your lives together.

  23. No Excuses on May 16th, 2016 9:15 am

    Congratulations to Cody and Christy! May you have many long years together!

  24. dman on May 16th, 2016 9:03 am

    What a heart-lifting story! Long life and prosperity to the newlyweds! :-)

  25. DJC on May 16th, 2016 9:03 am

    What a lovely couple, Congratulations!

    @ Don: Good one!

  26. Cathy McCurdy on May 16th, 2016 8:53 am

    What a lovely story!! Congratulations to this beautiful couple!! May God bless you with many happy years!!

  27. linda (Black) Davis on May 16th, 2016 8:29 am

    One of the sweetest love stories ever. Congratulations!

  28. Sylvia on May 16th, 2016 8:04 am

    That is a beautiful true story! Congratulations and wish you two happiness always!

  29. Happy for you on May 16th, 2016 7:41 am

    May God bless you with a long happy marriage. So happy for you both.

  30. Cathy on May 16th, 2016 7:11 am

    What a beautiful story and a beautiful couple. Bless you both! Congratulations!!!

  31. Willene Bryan on May 16th, 2016 6:38 am

    Just precious. God is so good. Blessings on them both.

  32. Don on May 16th, 2016 6:38 am

    damn onions!!

  33. Brenda on May 16th, 2016 6:35 am

    Congraultions to you both. GOD bless yall

  34. Patsy Green on May 16th, 2016 6:18 am

    Congratulations, Cody. I am so happy for you.

  35. Ellie Black on May 16th, 2016 6:11 am

    Beautiful just beautiful. Congratulations.

  36. Jan on May 16th, 2016 6:11 am

    Wonderful story. Wishing them long love and happiness!

  37. Sharon on May 16th, 2016 6:00 am

    I am so happy for both of you! What a great day that was for all of you!

  38. Angi B. on May 16th, 2016 4:49 am

    Such a sweet story, Congratulations to you both.

  39. Congrats on May 16th, 2016 4:34 am

    I went to school with Cody, I’m so glad to see this. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

  40. chris in Molino on May 16th, 2016 4:09 am

    Congratulations Cody and Christy. You are a beautiful couple.
    This is one of the small miracles that let me know there is a God.

  41. Robert on May 16th, 2016 3:06 am

    I wish them many years of happiness together!!!

  42. bigbill1961 on May 16th, 2016 2:25 am

    This is awesome! Congratulations!