Truro: Paralysed Dad Walks Daughter Down The Aisle

10 October 2014, 00:00

Phil Lawrence walking his daughter down the aisle.

Cassie’s Dad, Phil, fell through a roof 16 years ago and was not expected to walk again. This summer, he walked Cassie down the aisle at her wedding.

Cassie Kemp’s dream wedding may never have been possible but for Cornwall Air Ambulance.

She and her family believe that it was possible thanks to the swift actions of Cornwall's Air Ambulance who quickly got him to the Royal Cornwall hospital at Treliske where surgeons could operate and limit his paralysis.

After years of hospital treatment and physiotherapy, including a weekly walk around the Eden Project pit, Phil is now able to walk with the aid of crutches, which were specially decorated on the day of Cassie and Ashley’s wedding.

Phil said: “Because of the air ambulance I’ve been able to have a normal life with my children. I’ve seen them grow up, been able to be an ordinary Dad with them, culminating now in walking my beautiful daughter down the aisle at her wedding. 

He had broken his neck in two places and his back in four places, as well as cracking 7 ribs and suffering many other serious injuries.

Surgeons initially thought Phil was paralysed from the chest down and his family believes the speed of the Cornwall Air Ambulance meant his paralysis was confined to his feet, with partial paralysis in the lower part of his body.