Just a year ago, Paul Curtis, a former professional rugby player, found himself in a life-altering moment. Hurtling down a mountain on his bike, he collided with a tree, breaking his neck and leaving him fighting for survival. In that desperate moment, he made a heartfelt plea to his best friend: “If I don’t get through this, walk my daughter down the aisle.”

Against all expectations, Paul survived the ordeal, determined to fulfill his promise to his daughter, Hannah. Despite spending seven long months at the University of Wales Hospital, grappling with a broken neck, damaged spine, and paralyzed diaphragm and lung, Paul remained focused in his commitment to be there for his daughter on her special day.

Paul’s resilience and determination were evident throughout his recovery. Recalling the moments following the accident, he said, “I came down through a fairly steep section and hit a tree square on. I really can’t remember a lot about that but I remember the next guy down stopped and started to phone the paramedics.” The next moments were a blur.

Paul Curtis, center, with his family at his side. Photo by Wales Online

“I must have just passed out for a while at that point but the paramedics were there and my friends were there,” Paul said. “They were trying to get me stable and sorted,” he said. The road to recovery was full of challenges, as Paul fought both the physical and emotional toll his injuries took on him. He recounted the surreal experience of lying in a hospital bed, unable to swallow or eat for months on end.

Yet, he found solace in the unwavering support of his loved ones, which he said, gave him the strength to keep pushing. “I can’t mope about,” Paul said. “It’s done. I’ve got to move on and see where I go from here. For the most part I’m pretty upbeat. I’m fairly realistic about where I am and where I’m going.”

We all have our bad days. Then I sit quietly in bed and have a little sob,” Paul said. “But that happens and you move on to the next day.”

But for Paul, the best day was the day he would carry out his official father-of-the-bride duties for Hannah’s wedding to Liam. As Hannah’s wedding drew near, he joked, “I’ve been married to my wife Rhian for 28 years, and she doesn’t normally let me speak for more than 30 seconds of a time, so yes it will be daunting.”

Reflecting on the emotional journey, Hannah said, “It has been a long year. I did not think this would happen, so the fact it has actually happened is magical. There was a point when I did not think dad would be here. Me and Liam have been together for 11 years so it meant a lot for us to do this.”

… the fact dad is here is just lovely.”

In the end, though, Paul was just happy that he was able to have made it to the happy couple’s wedding. “I did not expect it to happen. I am emotional about having to give my daughter away. I’m nervous about having to make a speech, which is somewhat daunting. Watch below to see Paul during his days as a rugby player, and hear him talk about his accident and his future.

Sources: Wales Online | Mirror