In October 2011, Katie Breland Hughes, a personal trainer and physical therapy assistant had a horrible accident while driving home from an appointment with a client. She was hit by a truck that made her fly through the windshield which injured her back and spine. She was then paralyzed from waist down to her feet. Her main goal was to walk down the aisle with her own two feet that is why she immediately started training to be able to walk again.
Even if she was in a wheelchair, it didn't hinder her from meeting the man of her life, Odie Hughes. Within just three months of reconnecting with each other, they were engaged. In September 20, they were married and she was able to walk down the aisle.
After her accident, she was hopeful to begin training. She stayed in the hospital for 100 days but when she got home, she immediately started training. She even told her sister that she will never get married until she learns how to walk down the aisle. She told Today.com, "I told my sister from the beginning, I will not get married - whoever it be to, or whenever it happens - I will not do it until I can walk down the aisle. I just won't be in a wheelchair," she said. "So that was always a goal. I didn't know the next year it would actually happen."
On her journey, she heard a trainer from Michigan that had worked with other paraplegics. Mike Barwis, a strength and condition coach who works with Olympic and professional athletes recalled his first encounter with Katie, "The first time I talked to her on the telephone, she was like, 'Look, I don't want to be in this chair forever. I understand what happened to me, but I want to work hard and see where I can get," he told Today.com.
She began training and her progress was astounding. She started in a full-body brace, then with a walker before moving on to two canes. Finally, on her wedding day, she was able to walk down the aisle with her hands holding two men, her dad and Barwis.
She shares her story to others who have been paralyzed to inspire them. She recalls her married life to be blissful. "Me and him both just really understand how quick this life is and how short it can be made," she said. "We really value each other and the time we have together and with our family. We know first hand how quickly it can be taken from you, so we try to make the best of that."
Today, she still uses her braces and alternating them with her wheelchair. She now enjoy speaking in front people during events in hopes that her story would inspire other people.
