David Craig, Connect PhotographyA mum had her wish come true when her eight-year-old son who requires 24-hour care watched her walk down the aisle – after his carers made special arrangements for him to attend.
Samantha Dolan, 33, from Wigan, told of her delight after son Oliver arrived dressed for the occasion to celebrate with the rest of the family.
Oliver requires full-time care and struggles with his movement, sight and breathing after being treated for meningitis and a hypoxic brain injury when he was just four weeks old.
“It meant the world to have Oliver there at our wedding,” the newly-wed Mrs Dolan said.
David Craig, Connect Photography‘Chilled and happy’
The mother-of-three married Christopher Dolan, 37, at Holland Hall in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, alongside Oliver and his brothers Jacob, 12, and Benjamin, two.
“While Oliver only attended the wedding for a couple of hours, everyone loved him being there,” she said.
“He’s such a very chilled and happy boy. And although he can’t speak, he loves the sound of voices and can communicate in his own way – with a smile or a noise. He loves colours too.
“Oliver and his little brother Benjamin both wore matching outfits at the wedding – knitted jumpers and black jeans – it was perfect.”
Mrs Dolan said it can be difficult to find care for Oliver due to his complex needs but his carers at Derian House children’s hospice in Chorley went “above and beyond” to make the day special.
“Derian made it possible for me to spend my special day as a mum as opposed to being a carer,” she said.
“It can be hard to find childcare for a complex child like Oliver, and we are so grateful for their help.
“They went above and beyond by planning his respite care a year in advance when the wedding was booked, and arranged the extra staffing so that they could bring him to the wedding.
“It was a relief to know he would be cared for and made comfortable.
“They also made us a wedding card with Oliver and sent a gift home with Oliver’s foot print in a mould.”
David Craig, Connect PhotographyCatherine Randall, Derian House’s chief nurse, said: “We are so happy that Oliver was able to be part of his mum’s very special day.
“Weddings are such magical moments for families and at Derian House we do everything we can to help make these occasions possible so our families can create cherished memories together.”