Every parent hopes that their children will meet the person of their dreams, fall in love, and spend the rest of their life in a healthy relationship with that person.
But that storyline can sometimes be complicated when a child has special needs.
Maryanne and Tommy Pilling, who both have Down syndrome, heard their fair share of doubts and flak when they decided to get married.
But now after more than 20 years of marriage, their story is shutting the naysayers down.
“People worried about their own children or grandchildren with Down’s Syndrome get hope from Maryanne and Tommy’s story. Hope that their children can also fall in love and live happily ever after,” Maryanne’s sister Lindi Newman, told Independent.
The couple decided to marry after dating for 18 months. Tommy didn’t have enough money to buy a ring, so he got a plastic one out of a vending machine.
But Maryanne’s mom, Linda Martin, eventually took Tommy to the store and helped him buy a real ring.
“I was excited. I was going to get married,” Tommy said during an emotional interview on ‘This Morning’. “I do love her.”
Maryanne was also overjoyed about the proposal and having the wedding day that she always dreamed of.
“My wedding was the best day of my life,” Maryanne told Independent. “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.”
While Linda was supportive of the marriage, she received a lot of criticism for it. Some people didn’t think that people with Down syndrome could or should have a serious relationship. But Maryanne’s family disagrees.
“Anyone should have the right to marry the love of their life without prejudice or discrimination,” Lindi told TODAY.
And they’ve been happily married for more than two decades thanks to the support of their families.
The couple first lived with Maryanne’s family in Southend-on-Sea in England for the first 10 years of their marriage. During that time they learned to cook and be as self-sufficient as possible.
Then a flat became available next door to the family home and the couple moved into that flat.
Lindi created a Facebook page to celebrate Maryanne and Tommy’s love which now has quite the following.
“Anything is possible with love and there should be no limitations for anyone, no matter what their circumstances are,” Lindi said.
Each year people reach out to their Facebook page in order to congratulate the couple on their anniversary.
They even have gotten well wishes from France.
“When they walk down the street holding hands they make a statement but in a good way,” Lindi says. “Some people stare, they assume people with Down’s Syndrome and learning difficulties can’t get married. But we also get so many lovely, lovely messages from people who are inspired by their story.”
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