Paralysed woman whose husband left her 'on death bed' finds new love
A mother-of-four dumped by her husband days after being paralysed by a stroke has found love again with the personal trainer who helped her recover.
Riona Kelly, 37, was left paralysed from the waist down following a spinal stroke and was told she would never walk again in March 2015.
The mum from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was home alone with her youngest child, Logan, when she fell down a flight of stairs.
After just five days in hospital, she claims her husband, Richard, filed for divorce.
“After suffering a stroke not only did I have to deal with paralysis but I had to deal with losing my partner of 14 years," she said.
“Looking back I was miserable in my marriage, but we had built a life together and had responsibilities. It was the time I needed my husband the most.
“After he asked me for a divorce I was left completely alone. After five days in hospital I was told it would take me six months to a year to recover.
“At the time I felt like giving up, but I knew I had to be strong for my children. When I finally took my first steps it felt amazing.”
However, Richard claims he actually asked for a divorce before Riona’s accident, and visited her in hospital when he wasn’t looking after their children – Leighanra, 16, Caleb, 11, Izabela, nine and Logan, five.
Riona was told that within six weeks she would be able to take her first steps, however six weeks came and went and Riona was still unable to move her legs.
After spending hours in physio, Riona miraculously took her first steps on the parallel bar – just two weeks after doctors assumed she would never walk again.
“I was dragging my body and I had no feeling in my legs but I didn’t care, I was walking and that’s all that mattered,” she said.
During a gruelling rehabilitation process, Riona met Keith Mason last January after friends who knew she was looking for a personal trainer suggested she contact him.
“After our sessions Keith and I stayed in contact, he would ask me how I was getting on and our relationship blossomed from there," she added.
“And then one day Keith asked me out for coffee and we picked up from where we left off. I just couldn’t believe a gorgeous rugby player wanted to date a disabled woman like me.”
The pair has now been together for 11 months and Keith has become a hit with her four kids.
“Keith says I inspire him, but he encourages me every day and understands and sees the pain that I am in. He has been amazing with me and the children and I love him more each and every day.
“I now only need my wheelchair to go long distances but my home hasn’t been adapted so I try not use it.
“Looking back, going through what I did was the best thing to ever happen to me. I’m now back in the gym, and with Keith’s help I’m getting better and stronger than ever.
