There are many people who get married despite the fact that critics may doubt their ability to stay married for the long term. This often happens when we get married quickly or perhaps we are young and people don’t think we are yet responsible enough for the bond.
In 1995, there was a young couple who also were doubted but they ended up getting married and they stayed married for 25 years. They also were the first couple with Down syndrome in the UK to become husband and wife.
These days, we hear about people who have Down syndrome getting married on a regular basis. At that time, however, it was unheard of and it was the first time in the world that a couple with Down syndrome said I do.
Just like any other disability, however, those with Down syndrome have the ability to beat the odds, and certainly, that is what Tommy and Maryanne Pilling did. In fact, they are an inspiration to many who wonder if they have what it takes.
Maryanne was born in 1971. Her mother, Linda Martin, provided her with a loving atmosphere at home and she also had a sister who loved her as well. There were still times, however, when she struggled in life and she was even rejected by her father.
Since she was raised in a loving household, however, she grew up to be a very loving woman. It was easy to see in her lively personality.
Tommy was born in 1958 and was an only child. When he was 12 years old, he became an orphan and he grew up in a care home in Essex. He did have delayed development because of a lack of a support system, and he didn’t care much for his physical appearance.
When the two of them met in 1990, they were working in a kitchen in a training home for disabled individuals. He was 32 and she was 19 at the time.
It was easy to see how Maryanne felt about Tommy because she would absolutely light up when she spoke about him. They shared a number of common interests, such as music, cooking, movies, and doing craftwork.
Tommy also loved Elvis Pressley and the two of them would dance together on a regular basis. He would also let her know how much he loved her, and eventually, the family got accustomed to having him around.
18 months after they started dating, he proposed to her and asked her mother for permission to marry her daughter. The mother didn’t hesitate, she gave her blessings right away.
Other people, however, were not quite so positive about the idea of the two of them getting married. Some said that she wasn’t ready for it and some even asked about their sex life.
Despite the fact that they were criticized openly, they got married in 1995. 250 people came to the wedding, which was a fairytale for them.
They lived together with her family for seven years before moving into their own apartment next door. Her sister also moved along with them.
They have a very strong bond because he listens carefully when she speaks. There is never any type of hidden agenda and they love each other with their whole hearts.
Unfortunately, Tommy was hospitalized in 2020 after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and then got COVID. Due to his declining health, he passed away. That was on January 1, 2021.
When the news was broken to her, she seemed to understand but still was a little confused about the situation. We are just glad that they had almost 30 years together, and they loved each other till the end.
Rachael Ray’s fans have noticed a big change in her appearance after some people started worrying about her health.
Former Food Network star Rachael Ray made a bit of a comeback by sharing behind-the-scenes clips from an upcoming episode of her show, Rachael Ray Meals in Minutes, on social media.
Rachael Ray seems to be back to normal
Rachael Ray has eased her fans’ worries with a recent video on social media, where she appeared just like they remembered her. The former Food Network star posted a clip on Instagram showing her acting like her usual self.
A few weeks ago, some fans got concerned after noticing her speech was a bit slurred in a video. But with this new behind-the-scenes footage from her show, Rachael Ray Meals in Minutes, she reassured them.
In the video, Rachael shared a few recipes that could be served for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Fans were happy to see that she seemed much better compared to how she was in the earlier clip.
One fan commented, “I don’t know what everyone was worried about; you look great, Rachael!” Another added, “She looks better now compared to her earlier videos, and her haircut looks good.” A third person said, “You’re looking much better here.”
While many people praised Rachael, a few were still unsure if she was fully back to normal. One asked, “When was this filmed? Something seems (or still is) wrong with her bloated face, slurred speech, and crooked mouth.”
The video that concerned fans was posted earlier this month when Rachael paid tribute to Tony Bennett on Instagram, honoring the anniversary of his death by cooking his favorite dish, ossobuco. Rachael humorously shared a story about how she “almost killed” Tony after accidentally pulling a chair out from under him, causing him to hit his head and fall to the floor. She added, “I thought I killed Tony Bennett, literally. But his wife, Susan, said, ‘He’s fine, he’ll pop back up.’ He made it through dinner. I miss my friend so much.”
During this tribute, fans noticed that Rachael’s usually fast-talking style was slower, and she slurred her words in parts of the video. Some viewers expressed concern, with one saying, “I love you, but are you okay? I’m seriously worried.” Another added, “She seems like she’s been drinking. I love Rachael, but it’s hard to watch her like this.” A third person commented, “It looks like a mini-stroke. Her mouth seems uneven. This makes me so sad.”
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