Baby joy for bride, 29, paralysed by her own bridesmaid at hen do

After being pushed into a pool during her hen night Rachelle Friedman Chapman was paralysed - but she formed a pact with her bridesmaids never to reveal who did it

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by Closer staff |
Published on

As Rachelle Friedman Chapman cradles her baby girl Kaylee, she still can’t believe she’s a mum.

Rachelle was partying with friends on her hen do in 2010 when one of them accidently pushed her into the shallow end of a pool, leaving her paralysed from the chest down.

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Rachelle, 29, was devastated to learn she’d never walk again and even more heartbroken when she was told she wouldn’t be able to carry a child.

But thankfully, a friend offered to be a surrogate and she’s now mum to Kaylee, born last month.

Rachelle, who lives with her teacher husband Chris, 33, in North Carolina, USA, says: “My life changed in an instant. We were just messing around by the edge of the pool when one of the girls pushed me and I fell in the shallow end. I heard a loud snap and then I couldn’t feel anything from the waist down. It was terrifying.

“After the accident I was told I wouldn’t be able to have a child because medication I was on could harm my unborn baby, I was devastated.

“So when my friend agreed to be a surrogate, using my eggs and Chris’ sperm, I was thrilled. Looking after Kaylee is tough, but I’m just so happy to be a mum.”

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In an incredible act of friendship, Rachelle’s always refused to name which of her friends pushed her into the pool.

Rachelle says: “She was traumatised, so I didn’t want to make her feel worse by revealing her identity. I don’t blame her and we’re still friends today.”

To read the rest of Rachelle's story, buy Closer magazine, out now!

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