Three couples get engaged at Bristol club for disabled
Here are pictures that will warm your hearts.
The joy and love on these young couples' faces is clear as they celebrate their engagements.
All four attend Paul's Place, a Bristol charity for disabled adults which has seen a series of engagements after romance blossomed among its regulars.
Not only has Stuart Gadd proposed to his girlfriend Sarah Mann, but the next day Sean Francis proposed to Hannah Webb.
Stuart, 47, from Speedwell, said: "When I first saw Sarah, I thought, 'Oh my God, she is beautiful.' Now I feel very lucky because I never thought I would meet someone like her."
Stuart and Sarah have been together for about nine months after meeting at the club two years ago.
Volunteers at the centre say they really seemed to fall for each other during a club trip to Majorca in September.
Stuart proposed by getting down on one knee, even though his disability made it difficult to do.
Sarah, 22, from Bishopsworth, said: "I never thought he would propose, even though he brings me flowers and chocolates every time I see him here at Paul's Place. I am looking forward to a big white wedding and a great hen night with a limousine."
Sean, 25, from Yate, met Hannah, 24, from Henleaze, at Claremont School, but it wasn't until they started seeing each other at Paul's Place four years ago that they started going out.
Sean proposed to Hannah on one of their two weekly visits to Paul's Place, which is based at Coalpit Heath cricket club. He said: "I had to ask her twice because she was speechless the first time. When everyone found out what had happened, they all started crying."
Hannah said they plan to move in together as soon as possible. She said: "I knew he would propose one day. We had spoken about it before, but I was still really shocked when he did it."
All four friends have cerebral palsy, a physical condition that affects movement as a result of an injury to the brain.
On Valentine's Day, spina bifida sufferers and Paul's Place regulars Lisa Marshall and Marcus Hamblin also got engaged.
Paul's Place threw them all a surprise engagement party on Friday, but Lisa and Marcus were unable to attend.
Paul's Place founder Kath Aldom, 52, from Frampton Cotterell, is over the moon about the news.
She said: "I can't believe it all happened at once. We are all ecstatic. They hadn't discussed it with each other. It makes me feel like we are definitely doing the right thing here.
"Cerebral palsy does not affect these young people's minds – they are completely capable of falling in love. There are unfortunately many disabled people who don't get the opportunity to form romantic relationships.
"Imagine never getting that feeling when your stomach turns over as someone walks in the room. It makes me so happy to know that these couples have that."
Paul's Place was set up 14 years ago to give disabled people a chance to socialise and learn new skills, and to help provide families and carers with some free time.
It is named after Paul Wilmott, one of the unit's founder members, who died shortly after the group was established.
For more information, visit www.paulsplace.org.uk.









3 Comments
by LIsa Diplock, Cornwall
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 10:28AM
“Congratulations to all 6 of you! Its so brilliant. We are thrilled to bits for all of you!
Take care and lots of love Lisa xx”
by snakes, Brizzle
Sunday, February 22 2009, 9:19PM
“Congratulations to all six of you. Your story is one that makes me believe that all is good in the world.”
by Steve, Isle of Warm Hearts.
Saturday, February 21 2009, 4:04PM
“I wanted my heart warmed by the pictures!
Where are they?”