The definition of a fairy tale love story

Whether or not you believe in love at first sight, Willie Hayward and Sharmayne Wolmarans have proved that unconditional love has no boundaries.

This quadriplegic couple has been in love head over heels since they met last year. As soon as Sharmayne was wheeled into the care facility where Willie already was a resident, everything changed for the very special man.

“Suddenly there was a sparkle in his eyes. One can hardly believe it – you could see his face light up,” said Willie’s sister, Alice Goosen.

Willie has been paralysed since he was 21 following a horrible car accident that caused him severe brain damage and left him in a coma for eight months. Sharmayne, while deaf, is able to read, write, and use sign language to communicate, so even though Willie can’t speak, his wife somehow knows everything he wants to say and can communicate with the nurses on his behalf.

Not even 24 hours after they met, the smitten adults decided that they would be getting married. Although their marriage is not legal in the eyes of the law because they are unable to care for themselves, the wonderful staff at their Florida care facility hosted a wedding for them anyway. The families arranged a dominee, rings, and even a ‘marriage contract’.

Unfortunately, nothing special can be planned to celebrate the one-year anniversary since they met because of the lockdown restrictions, but Sharmayne’s sister Toni Stoddart said that she was planning a special surprise for the couple’s one-year wedding anniversary in December.

Willie and Sharmayne wake up every day with smiles that can brighten anyone’s mood. As long as these two lovebirds are side by side they don’t have a care in the world. Toni recalled taking Sharmayne to the doctor for a checkup and even though Willie was made aware of the appointment well in advance, he refused to eat until his wife was returned to him safely.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 precautions have meant that the couple’s family has been unable to visit them, but weekly video calls have put the minds of the worried relatives at ease; especially because the two are so happy together.

“Willie is such a special man and a true gentleman. He really has brought such joy to Sharmayne’s life,” said Toni.

She continued to say that if Willie is offered anything, he will refuse to accept it until his wife has had first. “They really are the epitome of unconditional love,” said Toni.

She finished by joyfully expressing how unfathomable it seems that her sister’s lifelong dream of a fairy tale wedding actually came true.