**Bride-to-be paralysed in ‘silly’ hen do mishap overcomes adversity to wed in hospital chapel**
In a remarkable demonstration of resilience and love, Carla Horton, a 44-year-old bride-to-be from Dudley, found her world turned upside down following a freak accident during her hen do celebrations. While preparing for an evening out with friends in Skegness, Carla attempted a playful stunt – a decision she now describes as a “silly misjudgement” – which left her paralysed from the chest down, only weeks before she was due to marry her fiancé, Craig Bolton.
The incident occurred as excitement mounted on Carla’s hen weekend. Amidst the high spirits, her decision to try a party trick ended dramatically; she fell, fracturing the top of her neck and losing consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, Carla realised she was unable to move. Her friends, stunned and distressed, immediately called an ambulance and also reached out to her partner Craig to break the devastating news.
Speaking candidly about the ordeal, Carla admitted, “I made a silly misjudgement and tried to do a stunt which, honestly, I was just too old to attempt. It resulted in a serious fracture to my neck and left me paralysed from the chest down.” The emotional gravity of Carla’s injuries quickly became apparent to Craig. “When I received the call, it felt like my world had collapsed,” he shared, recalling the shock as he rushed to Boston Hospital to be by Carla’s side.
In the aftermath, the couple faced profound uncertainty. Their wedding, originally planned for May 30 at St Chad’s Church in Coseley, appeared in jeopardy as Carla began her lengthy hospital treatment. Craig began making the three-hour round trip every day just to spend time with his soon-to-be wife. Carla, facing her new reality, even offered Craig the chance to walk away if he found the situation too overwhelming. “You don’t want to put the person you love through the potential hardship of a life-changing injury,” she said.
However, Craig refused, reaffirming his commitment: “Every day I see the fight in Carla, and it makes me fall in love with her even more. I know I’ve found my soulmate.” This mutual devotion inspired the couple to decide against delaying their nuptials. Rather than waiting months or even years to see if Carla might one day walk again, they resolved to marry as soon as possible.
With the help of Nottingham University Hospitals Charity and the dedicated staff at Queen’s Medical Centre, the hospital chapel was transformed into a heartfelt wedding venue. The charity organised everything from decorations to flowers and even arranged a hairdresser, ensuring the day felt as special as the couple had always hoped. Sam Cousens, a director at the charity, commented, “It was our privilege to help create a day filled with love and positivity. Carla and Craig’s story moved everyone who heard it.”
The wedding, held in the hospital chapel on the original date the pair had chosen, was an intimate celebration attended by close family, friends, and some of the hospital’s spinal cord injury care team. Michelle Elmsley, the unit’s lead, reflected on the joy felt by those who had cared for Carla. “It’s rare to be part of something so personal for our patients, and being able to support such a meaningful event was a proud moment for all of us,” she said.
Both Carla and Craig have been vocal about the life-saving speed of the hospital’s response. “The immediate medical and surgical care within 20 hours was critical to Carla’s condition,” Craig observed. “Had it taken longer, her prognosis could have been drastically different.” Medical professionals involved in Carla’s case echo the importance of swift intervention. “Spinal cord injuries are extremely complex and require urgent action to optimise recovery,” said Michelle.
Carla’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of life – and the remarkable power of human perseverance and love in the face of adversity. While she continues her rehabilitation journey with the vital support of her new husband and dedicated hospital teams, their wedding day stands as a beacon of hope and unity for others facing similar challenges.