I’m overwhelmed with happiness to finally be married

When 31-year-old Marina Tadej was taken down the aisle to marry Vaughn Akinin in November last year, it felt like the culmination of a long and very moving journey.

Both Marina and Vaughn have cerebral palsy, meaning their movement is severely restricted and they are wheelchair bound, while also having trouble with their speech.

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Their wedding was the result of 14 months of fundraising by the local community in Campbelltown, Australia.

‘I’m overwhelmed with happiness to finally be married,’ says Marina.

Our relationship has gotten even stronger since the wedding,’ agrees Vaughn.

The reason their wedding could take place was thanks to fundraising by the local community in Macarthur, Sydney, which was led and managed by Marina’s carer, Vickie Schuldt.

While the couple themselves cannot work, the community ‘jumped on the project and were delighted to help,’ says Vickie.

Some 40 local businesses and individuals came together to plan and contribute to the wedding.

‘It’s been everything for the past year – there were dramas, as there always are with weddings – it feels like it happened three times over there was so much to organise!’ Vickie says.

One of the nicest things about Marina and Vaughn’s story is that they have been friends and childhood sweethearts since they were just 12 years old. Incredibly, Marina’s dad predicted Vaughn would be the man Marina would marry when he saw them playing together in the playground.

‘It was instant attraction when we first met,’ says Marina.

‘I love Vaughn’s wicked sense of humour and the fact that we’re so similar in personality,’ she continues.

‘I love Marina’s smile,’ Vaughn says.

‘When I first met her she had these Harry Potter-style glasses which I just loved. I love that nerdy look.’

The preparation for the wedding wasn’t just donations; it could be seen in every part of the ceremony, from the beautiful flowers arranged by Camden Florist, to the bridal party’s dresses made by TAFE and the groomsmen’s suits provided by Lowes.

It took place at the Tapcorp Park Menangle in Sydney, and was ‘the happiest day of my life,’ says Vaughn, smiling.

‘I had proposed at our day programme centre months before,’ he continues, having sourced a ring from the jewellery shop with one of the carers.

‘And we just couldn’t wait to get married.’

While the couple don’t live together at the moment, carer Vickie explains that there are plans afoot to get Vaughn and Marina moving in together soon.

‘It’s their dream and goal to live together,’ she explains.

‘And why shouldn’t they be able to achieve that?’.

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