All Cornell wanted before her wedding was the chance to see her husband waiting for her down the aisle. In a story that encompasses romance, unity and proudly South African support, this bride received the wedding gift of a lifetime. It’s visual acuity.
BERLIN, Germany (September 30, 2024) — Most brides tend to have some requests and wishes before their big day. But a South African bride named Cornel Leach had a unique wish that no marriage registry could match. It’s a gift to my soon-to-be husband to meet him on his wedding day.
Cornell has Stargardt macular dystrophy. This is a debilitating retinal disease that left her centrally blind and with 0% visual acuity. In other words, she had never actually seen her fiancé before.
The two have moved on with their lives despite Cornell’s struggles. To her, Russell was the guiding light of her heart’s eye.
“In the darkness, I found light in the form of love,” Cornell says.
“I’m so happy to have met the man of my dreams, Russell. He’s the one who’s always been by my side, despite my obstacles.”
Magic and miracle came together when Russell’s family discovered Fedoroff Vision Restoration Therapy, a facility in Berlin that could help Cornell.
This facility may have given Cornell his sight again – although he wasn’t sure at the time, it was a very good facility.
Cornell started a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to gather support for his chance. Even though she knew it might not work out, she kept her hopes up.
As word spread, her story attracted the attention of famous local fashion designer Gerd-Johann Coetzee and famous comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout.
Gert kindly offered to make Cornell’s wedding dress and encouraged her support, while Schalk shared the story of the “Meeting Bride” (an apt reference to Cornell) with his own audience and as many people as possible. I tried to share it.
The wave of support quickly turned into a whirlwind, and by August her medical bills were paid and a flight to Berlin was booked.
Both Schalk and Cornell said they could not believe that South Africans had responded so quickly to the call for help. Within days, the impossible became its equivalent.
“I have never been more proud to be South African,” Cornell said.
“This is the result of the efforts of many people who donated what little they could,” Schalk said.
In a much-awaited update for South Africa, Ms Schalk met Ms Cornell in Berlin on her last day of treatment in late September. They believe it was a fateful encounter as they happened to be in town for a show.
There, Cornell announced the incredible news that the treatment was successful. Moreover, it started working faster than expected, and the amount of active cells in her retina had already doubled. What is your greatest joy? She saw her love for the first time.
“It has had a huge impact on me, and I have no words to express my gratitude, because it’s not every day that a girl can get her sight back, or at least have the opportunity to do so.” Cornell said of all the people who helped him. , near and far.
I’m sure her wedding on January 11th will be the happy ending to a story worthy of being made into a movie. But it’s also a unique reminder that truth is sometimes not only stranger than fiction, but also far more beautiful.
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