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A mother whose tragic spinal blood clot left her paralyzed has found love with the personal trainer who helped her restore her life.When Riona Kelly had to deal with the divorce of her marriage and a life-changing accident, she was left heartbroken.
Her husband claims that he visited her daily while taking care of their children and conducting his business and that he had asked her for a divorce the morning before she suffered a stroke.Due to the spinal stroke, the 37-year-old was paralyzed from the waist down.
Riona, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was passionate about standing up for her four children, Leighanra, 16, Caleb, 11, Izabela, 9, and Logan, 5. Riona overcame her low point and fought back with determination.
Photo Credits – Caters News Agency
She took her first steps only eight weeks following her stroke.And the single mother has even discovered love once more after falling for her trainer, Keith Mason, 35, who assisted her in recovering.
Riona said: “After having a stroke, I had to deal with losing my spouse of 14 years in addition to being paralyzed.
“I felt alone after he asked me for a divorce. I was told I would need six months to a year to heal after spending five days in the hospital.
“When I finally took my first steps, it felt fantastic. At the moment, I felt like giving up, but I knew I had to be strong for my kids.”
“I posted on Facebook last January asking for the help of a personal trainer, and some friends advised me to contact Keith.”
“Following our sessions, Keith and I continued in touch. He would inquire about my well-being, and our friendship grew from there.”
“We’ve been together for 11 months, the kids love him, and I feel like I’m finally living the life I deserve.Riona was paralyzed from the waist down in March 2015 after experiencing an extremely unusual spinal stroke that required immediate hospitalization.”
She added: “I can’t recall precisely what occurred, but Logan and I were at home one day when I fell down a full flight of stairs, requiring Logan to phone for help.”
“After my husband abandoned me in the hospital, my friend Sarah took over as my next of kin, and she and the kids helped me through my recovery.”
“Looking back, I was unhappy in my marriage, but we had established a life together and were responsible for other people.”
“It was a time when I most needed my husband.” Riona was assured that she would be able to walk within six weeks, but six weeks passed, and Riona was still unable to move her legs.
She stated: “Doctors then informed me that I would never be able to walk again”.
“My 18-month-old vehicle accident, they claimed, may have contributed to my spine’s issues.”
“However, aside from that, I was a healthy, fit lady, and there was no other explanation for why this might occur.”
“I hated it and hated myself the first time I went out in a wheelchair because I thought everyone was staring at me.”
“If someone had given me the option, I would have ended my life since I no longer wanted to live.”
“However, the other patients on the ward were wonderful; I had a lot of support from them, and they inspired me to get up every day.Riona miraculously took her first steps on the parallel bar after spending hours in physical therapy, just two weeks after experts predicted she would never walk again.”
She continued, “I was dragging my body and had no feeling in my legs, but I didn’t care; all that mattered was that I was walking.
“My consultant was visibly moved; he found it hard to believe I had accomplished it with the aid of a standing frame.”
“Every day, I gained strength, and after spending four months in the hospital, I was eventually given the okay to go home.”
“Although it took me 25 minutes to climb 16 steps and the same amount of time to descend again, I was determined to accomplish this for my children.”
With the help of her wheelchair, Riona has since finished two marathons, and in January of last year, she met Keith, a personal trainer and former rugby league footballer who played professionally.
Keith wanted to change things, according to Riona.
“However, at the same time, I discovered a reasonably priced physio, and I quit my personal trainer since it was too much for me.”
“We continued where we left off after Keith asked me out for coffee one day. I just couldn’t imagine a handsome rugby player would want to date a person with a disability like myself.”
“Keith claims that I inspire him, but he actually supports me every day and is aware of the suffering I’m going through.”
“He has been wonderful with the kids and me, and I grow to love him more and more every day.”
“Now that I only need my wheelchair for long distances, I try not to use it at home because it hasn’t been modified.”
“Looking back, I realize that going through what I did was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Since I’ve started working out again, Keith has been helping me become stronger and better than ever.”
“After my stroke, I thought my life was finished, but it’s only just getting started and has opened so many beautiful possibilities; I just signed up with Models of Diversity and just landed my first TV ad,” the stroke survivor said.
Richard, Riona’s former spouse, said: “Riona and I discussed getting a divorce the morning before she had her stroke, not while she was in the hospital.”
“I tried to spend as much time with her while she was in the hospital each evening, despite the fact that I had to take care of the kids, maintain the house, and operate a business.”
“We have both moved on since I last resided in the home with Riona and the children up until last June.”
