Bridesmaid Prank Goes Tragically Wrong, Leaves Bride Paralyzed
- Posted on November 17, 2010 at 10:51pm by
Meredith Jessup
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Just a month before her wedding, Rachelle Friedman was enjoying a night out with her bridesmaids, celebrating her finals days of being a single gal. But when an innocent prank went wrong, her entire life was changed in an instant.
“It all happened very quickly,” Friedman, 25, told ABCNews.com. “We got home, ran upstairs and changed into our bathing suits,” said Friedman. “My best friend — and she still is my best friend — she playfully pushed me in like we’ve done a million times.”
“It was playful, but it went wrong,” she said. “It was a freak accident.“ Friedman hit her head on the bottom of the pool and says her body ”instantly went stiff.” She was paralyzed.
“I remember the doctor telling me I wasn’t going to walk,” Friedman told ABC News. “He was very sure that I’d never, ever walk. Sometimes they give you percentages, he was pretty much like ‘absolutely not.’”
After months of physical therapy rehab, Friedman returned home to the love and support of her family, friends and her fiancee. “I was always kind of scared something was going to mess up my perfect world,” she said. “It was literally perfect but it completely changed and that can happen to anyone.”
“But I’ve learned that even if things do change, you can still make your world perfect,” she concluded.
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Comments (64)
Smoking
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 5:02pmWow!!!! I am an RN and I cried when I read this. Do not give up hope or stop searching for the “BEST” neurosurgeon you can find. There is always hope. My mother had fractures @ C-1, C-2 and C-3 following an accident. There was only one doctor that was even offering a sliver of hope. My mother had a triple cervical fusion C1, 2 and 3. She is able to ambulate and is not dependent on a respirator. She endures pain on a daily basis, even with powerful narcotic analgesics. However, she is alive and that is the most important thing. Through all of this, she never lost her faith and thanks God every single day for her life. She says she is blessed. Rachalle, hang in there…I will be sending my prayers your way. God Bless You and your fiancee. You are blessed to have an individual like him in your life.
Report Post »Idahosauce
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:44pmI can only hope to have the character displayed by this young woman.
Report Post »May you always find joy and peace in your life.
airbrnmtr
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:04pm21 years as an Infantryman, and I almost cried.
Report Post »Slevdog1
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 11:37amIt goes to show that love conquers anything, that is fantastic and I wish nothing but the best for the couple and their families…..
Report Post »TheFreeMan
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 11:21amI commend your forgiveness of your friend. I have felt the pain of seriously injuring a friend unintentionally, it is very hard on the conscious and it helps to have their forgiveness and understanding.
Report Post »It sends a powerful message to those who push frivolous law suits on those who make innocent mistakes.
ChiefGeorge
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 10:56amHorseplay around pools never ends well take it from a former lifeguard. You might get away with it a few times but it is just a matter of time and just the right circumstances until disaster strikes. This is not Gods fault. Accidents just don’t happen and are usually caused by people. Lightning striking you is an accident but even that can be avoided by coming in doors during a storm. I hope she gets through life alright and she will need God more than ever.
Report Post »Codger
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 8:56amThis really makes you understand the fragility of life and how in a split second it can all change.
So very sorry.
Report Post »Devil in Arkansas
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:36amWhat a truly sad story. I wish the both of them the best, and hope they are able to overcome the major obstacles that face them. Stories like this make my problems seem insignificant by comparison.
Report Post »blackdog911
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 5:45amThis hits way to close to home….My wife was in a traffic accident 6 weeks before our wedding and is now disabled..That was 12 years ago……I feel terrible for this girl, but, lets not forget the man is going through some tough times as well…I know because I have lived it.
Report Post »felina g
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:20amMy family has been there as well and my hat goes off too you, Blackdog. So many have walked in your shoes and though it is NOT easy we come out on the other side much stronger for the wear. It is difficult to see some days. Caretaking is so underestimated. You first must take care of YOU. (hugaroonie)
This gal needs to keep going and not listen to the doctors about never walking again. They don`t always factor in the strength of the human spirit. It is HUGE.
Report Post »Alexandra1214
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 5:29amWhat you are “missing” is the lesson to be learned …… that life does go on and that what you make of a extremely tough situation can determine the outlook on the rest of your life …. I totally understand the bride’s determination … I too was in that similar situation … up until 11-22-86 …I had the “perfect” little family … a normal body (5′7″, 135 lbs. Mom of a 4 yr. old daughter) … in one split second … due to a “mistake” of another driver … Daughter gone … Me in a coma …. with the doctors telling my family that “I had a less then 5% chance to live …. and IF I did live … there would be Major brain damage … I might be functional … I might loose my left arm and leg too” ….
Good thing I was in a coma … and didn’t know that the doctors said those things to my family … because when I did come out of my coma …. I thought only a day went by …. I knew that my daughter was gone …. and I knew that I had to get up and get going out of this hospital bed …. I thank God for the doctors and nurses of Hahneman Hospital in Philadelphia … most especially one Dr. John Bently Webber, Chief Orthopedic Surgeon and the doctor who would NOT allow “others” to put limits on me …. there was also a Nurse I will always remember as an Angel … “Izzy” … (she knows who she is) ….
Now I tell you … for all the nay sayers…” It is horrible for the bride, any independence she had is over.” .. basically saying that her “perfect” life is over … so why bother to live …. Ahhhh …. there’s a rub with that thought …. What your description of “Perfect” doesn’t mean that is her description of “Perfect” … or MY description of “Perfect” …Everyone on this earth has their own description of “Perfect” …
After my accident … 5 years of physical therapy … taking up Dog Obedience training with my daughter’s Collie Puppy, Samantha, learning how to ride a horse, compete and WIN at many Horse Shows for the Physically Handicapped …. travel this country from coast to coast, many times by myself … write several children’s books … Rescue and train misplaced Canines for others in my situation …. Have been married 26 yrs with my daughter’s Father (he passed on from Cancer years after our daughter died) … Married again to a Wonderful Man 10 years my junior, who doesn’t view me as Handicapped …and has an Amazing son, (thus making me a Mom again), who now serves in the US Army, ……Was the First Person (the Red Head) on the Couch last year in Glenn Beck’s, The Christmas Sweater, The Return to Redemption …Live Show, which not only highlighted Glenn’s Book based on his life, but the Life’s experiences of several people who came upon Hardship and Overcame their hardship ….. (Hey there Eric, Nick & Aleka) …. What is the POINT of my post you might say ….. One Person’s “Perfect” ….may not be “Your Perfect” ….. That Bride’s situation, although devistating, was NOT the end of her life … she had to learn, quite early in life …. just how to make ….. Lemonaide out of the Lemons that were handed to her BECAUSE if she didn’t learn how to make her new life “perfect” … what would have been her alternative??
IT would appear … that she did Learn how to live her “New Perfect” and thus Inspiring Others in her life…. In her own “ perfect way ”… God Bless Her & Her family!!!!!!
p.s. I also grew up with a inground pool in our back yard … my parents didn’t like the diving board and the way we would jump and dive into the pool … so they took it off ….even so .. during a pool party when I was 20 years old … no alcohol involved … a dear friend of the family decided to do a cannon ball jump into the shallow end where I was standing … my back towards him …. he miscalculated and hit me in the back, knocking the wind out of me and pushing me under water …. IF it had not been for my older brother seeing this …. and pulling me out of the water ….. that might have been ???? Life … is a series of things that happen to you …. and Living … is how you react to each and every “thing” that happens …. God Bless ….
Report Post »JGP
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:27amNuff said.
Report Post »MommaGrizzly
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 8:30amWow. You brought tears to my eyes. You go girl!
Report Post »Atrocities
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:54amThis is why I support assisted suicide. Her husband to be will eventually bail on her, and her family will eventually push her into a home. An old fogies home where she’ll wallow in her own filth because some bean counter at Medicare, under the new Obama care rules, will deem it too expensive to buy her catheters or provide proper care for her needs. She’ll eventually get a horrible blood infection and again, the bean counters will decide that its to expensive to save her life, and she’ll die. Alone, bitter, filled with regret, and welcoming deaths sweet embrace.
You think I am kidding? You wait and see.
Report Post »sean_m.
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:31amWow! Pessimistic much? There are still good people out there. I believe I read about them somewhere. Still, no way of knowing what will happen.
Report Post »moonpeace
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:11amAtrocities, what a cynic you are.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 7:30amYou are the most cynical person I’ve read lately.
Apparently you have never heard of Joni Earickson Tada who was paralized in a swimming pool accident. Her personal strength and belief in GOD has led her to become one of todays leading preachers. She is a shining example of what anyone can accomplish with GOD’s help.
I am praying for this young lady and the one who pushed her.
Report Post »SeekerofTruth
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:52pmYou most definitely need some prayer. I am sorry you feel the need to voice such bitterness when everyone else is expressing hope and prayers for the young lady in the article. You must have had a terrible time and no support network. I am truly sorry for you. Please seek help. It sounds like a Grief Counselor might be what you need.
Report Post »barthom
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:13amI have a friend who was supposed to have a hopeless case. She walks with a limp, is married, is expecting her second baby, and takes care of things by herself while her husband goes to work. She looks sort of like someone who had a stroke, is weak on one side. I hope in the case of the story above that things will get better. Keep trying and having a good attitude. Thumbs up to the man.
Report Post »SaintMichael
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:36amNo horseplay in the pool kids. I suspect the alcohol thus consumed was one of the facts not reported in the story. “pushed her” and she “just hit her head” on the………bottom….thats a good 2 or 3 feet of water to cushion the push and decelerate the head….
Sucks for all involved…
Report Post »eteme
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:05amI don’t know Mike…I guess you don’t swim or have ever dove into the water head first. Jumping into the water head first and have seen a pretty bad accident to a 10 year old when he jumped into the shallow end. i’m pretty sure there was no drinking involved there, just inexperience. Some people are able to just go into with out a hitch..But this situation appears that she went head first and was surprised from a push from a so called “friend”. Those signs at the public pools that say “no diving” are there for a reason.. but heey who is really right these days..
Report Post »SaintMichael
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:13amI have a pool at my house. I grew up with a pool. It takes a substantial push to impart enough force on a submerged person to make them contact the bottom that hard. I am not saying it was intentional, but common sense dictates 1. bachelorette party leading to the assumption of number 2. which was poor judgment of force involved in the ‘playful’ push resulting in 3. tragedy.
I’m not blaming anyone, but I just don’t buy the sugar coated version of the facts presented. Nothing more, nothing less..
It is horrible for the bride, any independence she had is over.
It is horrible for the friend to live with the guilt.
It is horrible for the groom – does he marry her and possibly regret it his entire life, or leave her and regret it or feel guilty his whole life.
Report Post »eteme
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:30amyes probably so…hey, they might be Baptist… I‘m just glad there weren’t 2 or 3 people involved that could have been really tough……good talk Mike
Report Post »Iamfedup
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:32amI hope she believes in God’s help, and the power of her own onriness. Fifteen years ago, I was in a car collision that had the doctors telling me I would never get out of a wheelchair, much less walk, again. To top it off, my head injuries were so bad my mental capacity had diminished to that of a 3rd grader and I was told that was the best I could expect.
Report Post »Since then, I’ve gone to college and earned a degree in engineering and seldom even need to use my cane to walk.
Believe in God and yourself, and never take “No” for an answer.
God bless you Rachelle, and give you strength to fight the odds.
FreedomIQ
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:12amWonderfully said.
Absolutely trust in God and never EVER take “no” for an answer. Doctors may try, but they don’t know everything.
After what you went through and your accomplishments since then, if you don’t mind my saying this to you: “Nicely done!”
Report Post »philm1
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:30amWhatever you do, don’t believe the doctor.
Report Post »eteme
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:24amPersistence and keeping your head up no matter how bad it gets.. Giving up is the true loser in life.. The loser loses life and all it can be..It takes some longer to get back in the hunt. Some it just takes the smallest fire to spark a grand blaze. While others need a little more wood to fire up the engine.
Every life has hills, some are just steeper than others…
Report Post »mrmikejohnson
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:15amWhy does God do things like this?
Report Post »Dale
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:27amGod didn’t do it. The girl’s friend pushed her (as she had previously, this time there was an accident). Accidents happen.
Report Post »john1417
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:06amStuff like this sucks but I dont look at it as god did this as a bad thing I think bad things happen and you can choose to look at it as a negative or a positive. things happen and if you believe in god they make you stronger. Not weeker
Report Post »Mickeyd
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:41amThe answer: He doesn’t do things like this. God did not push this girl into the pool. God did not Tell the friend to push her into the pool. Quit blaming God for something he did not do.
Report Post »Voice-O-Reason
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:38amI think your actual question MRMIKEJOHNSON is “Why did God allow this to happen?”
Report Post »God gave everyone the freedom to make a choice in every aspect of our lives. We are not robots commanded to love him. In order for there to be true freedom (free moral agency) there are direct and indirect consequences to making our own choices. Bad things happen in an imperfect world (that we made imperfect) and we can choose to blame God for this but it ultimately comes down to our own fault. We are not promised a perfect life here on earth, but we are promised a perfect after-life if we choose Him. Choose wisely.
drajhil
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:17amYour question echos the thought of the philosopher Epicurus, who wondered: “Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If God can abolish evil, and God really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?”
Report Post »It’s the age-old quandary of theodicy and it’s never been answered satisfactorily – at least not to the satisfaction of religious believers. Unfortunately for them, the only answers that fit what we see in the world are that God is unable to prevent evil or doesn’t want to – or that he simply doesn’t exist. Take your pick.
judg724
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:15amVoice, you are absolutely right. God also didn’t cause 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina, He doesn’t plan children to get raped, and He certainly didn’t plan this. God is not the author of evil.
Report Post »ARMOR BEARER 147
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 11:43amdrajhil, et al.,
I‘m always impressed by philosophers who give a it’s either this or that and their the only 2 possible answers take your pick when neither one in based on ANY Biblical input or study.
The LORD is certainly able to stop evil and will in His time. The truth is that he created Man with the ability to chose to worship Him or not. In order that His glory and mercy and manifest wisdom be made know, we have to be given the choice. [Proverbs 8:17]
God, has condemned this world to evil reign because of Adam’s disobedience. [Gen 3] Evil is the common place in this condemned world. We should be wondering why God lets good things happen to vastly uncaring, unloving, selfish, prideful and disobedient creatures. [John 3:16-18]
God then sent Jesus Christ as an obedient servant and substitutional sacrifice. His is the only name by which men can be saved from this world of death. [Romans 5:17-21], [Phillipians 2:5-11], [Acts 4:12].
The LORD will destroy evil (possibly very soon) but until then he is giving each man every the possibilty of salvation. He tarrys in destroying evil because it dwells in Man and destroying it would mean destroying His creation whom He loves. [2 Peter 3:8-9], [John 3:16]
Recognize your disobedience to your creator. Confess with your mouth the Jesus Christ is LORD and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved.[Romans 10:9-10]
And what WE see as evil isn’t always as we see it. In all things God works to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28]
If you think nothing good can come of this young lady’s plight, I suggest you look into the life of Joni Ericson Tada. There are hundreds of thousands of wheelchairs in Africa, in the name of Christ, because of her teenage diving accident.
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
Report Post »By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”
[2 Peter 3:3-7] —-[-
deskpilot
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:58pmStrangely enough, for some reason I had a hankering to watch, “The Other Side of the Mounain,” last night, and then this story. Weird, huh?
Report Post »Prayers for a continuing strong recovery to reach a point beyond todays limit. Tomorrow, another milestone beyond the one you just passed.
mary841
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:56pmPut your faith in God, not any doctors. Pray that God shows His glory through this and watch miracles happen. Amazed by Jesus!
Report Post »drajhil
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 3:06amSounds nice, Mary, but I’ll put my faith in modern medicine every time. The graveyards of the nineteenth century (and before) were filled with people who put their faith in God, because there was no medical science. They had no choice, and they died in droves from simple infections, from appendicitis and other surgical problems that today’s doctors cure routinely – and they died, no doubt, praying fervently to a God who either wasn‘t there or didn’t care. He’s still not there, Mary; and, if you rely on him to spare your life instead of going to a doctor, when you’re sick or injured, then you can die just as needlessly.
judg724
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:27amUnfortunately you are both wrong. There is indeed a personal God who loves us and wants us to accept what He did through Jesus. A more careful examination of the New Testament reveals however, that God is dealing with the Body of Christ, under Grace, very differently than He did with Israel, and differently than the early transition from Israel to Grace in Paul’s writings. You will notice that in Paul’s later writings, miracles and healings are completely missing. These were for Israel, not the Body of Christ. You did see a temporary carryover of these signs though, to as God said “to make Israel jealous.” But these gifts are gone now. We have Grace instead. Not a bad trade when you consider what being under the law means. God works on people’s hearts today, through His Word, and our planting the seeds of His Grace.
unashamed conservative
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 10:36amYou all have it wrong. Put your faith in God, AND the doctors and nurses who have received the gift of compassion and healing FROM God. May He work through them and guide their minds and hands to restore you to full health. May we all open our eyes to your abundant blessings, not matter what our circumstances.
Report Post »TEAFORTWO
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:03pmIs it possible that this tragic accident IS Gods will?
Report Post »proudinfidel54
Posted on November 20, 2010 at 1:58amTEAFORTWO God does not do the bad things that happen, that is the other guy, However, if her faith is strong God can heal this girl.
Report Post »HUGGINGMYBABIES
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:55pmGod love this man :)
Report Post »cstcomputers
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:53pmBless you both.
Report Post »cstcomputers
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:52pmGod Bless you both…
Report Post »greggor
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:51pmThe poor girl who made the unfortunate choice to push her in the pool.. how awful she must feel. Say a prayer for her, as well.
Report Post »Harlemite
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:11amAmen to that. May God have mercy on them all.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:44pmSorry to hear that , you should never give up you’ll never know but maybe one day it will happen .
Report Post »menotyou
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 11:40pmHoly Cow!
- Me
Report Post »http://michaelrybin.blogspot.com/
snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:19amGod bless her and her family, fiance, and the hopes and wishes of us all for a great recovery, a long and joy filled marriage, along with us asking for the healing hands of God to grant the miracle of a full and speedy recovery.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 12:39amSo sad.
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 1:39ama True Hero for today’s world
Report Post »Pnxgld
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:23amSnow that is the first thing I have read from You I agree with! God bless her! Maybe our prayers for You have been answered. We will be praying for her healing & your sanity.
Report Post »norway1516
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 4:02amwow what a strong woman I’ll pray for her but either way im sure she will make her own happiness.
Report Post »MsMonsoon
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 11:09amIt just goes to show… we are about as happy as we make up our minds to be.
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 11:30amDitto Snowleapard! Could not have said it better! It is nice to see such a grounded young couple.
“I was always kind of scared something was going to mess up my perfect world,” she said. It was literally perfect but it completely changed and that can happen to anyone.”
Rachelle, reads to me like your world is still pretty perfect. You and your fiancee are great people!!! May you never lose that kind of perfection.
Report Post »Marcia
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 2:10pmI loved it when she said ” – and she still is my best friend…”. No lawsuits, no hysteria. She recognizes tha it was JUST AN ACCIDENT, and she is dealing with it.
Report Post »longhorn mama
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 5:05pmAnd why did they not get married??????????
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 6:49pmSnowleopard3200, that was beautifully said.
Report Post »Spookytruck
Posted on November 19, 2010 at 9:19pmWhy do people think stupid is funny? I pray for this couple. Their relationship is founded on something more solid than most. G-d Bless them.
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