There is a notion amongst general public that people with learning disabilities and similar conditions should not marry each other. They believe that it is already difficult for them to live on their own, let alone living together.
But there is a shining example in front of them in the form of lovely couples who both have Down syndrome, and yet have immense love for each other. Not only that, they have been married for so many years that even their detractors have appreciated them. Here is their story.
The story of Maryanne and Tommy Pilling started in 1995. Both Tommy and Maryanne suffer from Down syndrome and fell in love when they were young. Tommy and Maryanne both hail from Essex, England and dated for more than a year.
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After Tommy was sure that Maryanne was the one, he asked her hand for marriage in presence of Maryanne’s mother, Linda. Tommy had proposed with a toy ring, but Linda took him to a store to help him buy a real engagement present.
Lindi, Maryanne’s sister said,” The day Maryanne met Tommy she came home with the biggest smile on her face. She couldn’t stop talking about him and asked if he could come for dinner. My mum immediately said yes but wanted them to do it properly so took him to a jewellery shop to buy a proper ring”
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Tommy and Linda got married in a church in Essex and fulfilled their dream of a white wedding for the bride. Families from both sides were supportive of this special couple. However, they were also criticized by many people around them who felt that two people with Down syndrome should not marry each other and such marriage would not survive.
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Maryanne and Tommy are thought to be UK’s first married couple with Down Syndrome and now Tommy,59 and Maryanne,45 will celebrate 22nd year anniversary of their marriage. Maryanne’s sister Lindi looks after the couple’s page on Facebook, where she shares photos and videos of the couple. The page has hundreds of thousands of followers and all are appreciative of the couple.
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Tommy and Maryanne’s successful wedding has proven to be an inspiration to people who think people with this condition should not marry. Maryanne shared, "My wedding was the best day of my life. I was shocked when Tommy proposed but I didn't have to think twice about saying yes. Tommy and I never argue. I love my husband very much. He is my best friend."
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The couple lives independently in their own house, while family lives in neighbor to help out.
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