A DEVASTATING medical diagnosis has dashed a couple's romantic plans for a wedding in Spain.

Steve Kennet and Byron Schofield from Ellesmere Port had planned to marry in Sitges 20 minutes down the coast from Barcelona where they have many friends.

But when doctors told 57-year-old Steve that he has Motor Neurone Disease following a year of symptoms the couple was forced to change their plans.

Byron, 38, said: “He was diagnosed in January this year. It was a hell of a shock, though we knew it could be MND.

“Steve has had long-term back problems and had a spinal fusion 20 years ago. When he began with drop foot difficulties, we thought it could be linked to this but no.”

Wirral Globe:

He is now on medication but there is no cure for this cruel terminal illness.

The couple met at a mutual friend’s art exhibition in Manchester and retro sweets, including Love Hearts, were the table decorations put out for the invited guests.

Byron said: “He sat opposite me and passed me a Love Heart which said, ‘hey boy’ and raised his eyebrows. I thought ‘he’s into me, he’s gay’.

“That was nine years ago, and I was living in Manchester. We decided we would give it a year and then we decided to live together, and I moved in with him at his home in Ellesmere Port.”

Before his diagnosis, Steve was a plant operator for Thomas Plant Hire but after his health began to fail he took retirement.

Byron used to work at Legoland in Manchester but is now a teaching assistant in a primary school as well as being Steve’s primary carer.

Despite the devastating news, Steve and Byron reused to be beaten and have since celebrated their love with a ceremony in Chester.

Byron said: “It was a day of life and laughter.

“We had thought of going to Spain in a year or two but following Steve’s diagnosis, we decided to do it sooner rather than later.

“We got married at Chester Register Office last month with 22 guests, including both our parents followed by a reception at Pesto at The Yacht in Chester.

“It may not have been the wedding we were going to have with a greater number of guests but it was no lesser a wedding and was still the most gorgeous day.”

Byron and Steve hope that by sharing their story, they can help raise awareness around MND.

Byron added: “We wanted to tell our story to help raise awareness of MND and encourage people to support the Association’s fundraising efforts to provide assistance for those living with the disease and for research into a cure.”

 

Anyone interested in finding out more information can go on line to https://mndawirral.org.