On 7 October 2012, a serious car accident in the early hours of the morning left Co Derry man John Francis Bradley fighting for his life in hospital.
The Ballinascreen man suffered a serious head injury after he was catapulted from the car and thrown head-first into a concrete post.
He was rushed to Antrim Hospital from where he was transferred onto the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he underwent emergency surgery to remove a massive blood clot.
His family and friends were told to expect the worst but on Friday last, four years and one week (to the date) of the car accident, John Francis married his long-term girlfriend and childhood sweetheart, Roisin Conway.
The pair met at St Colm’s High School, Draperstown.
In fifth year, John Francis asked her to the school formal and the rest, as they say, is history.
At 26 years-old, the young couple have been through a lot together.
In a way, you could say the newlyweds have made their own history.
John Francis, who is known to his family and friends as JF, despite the odds being stacked against him has defied them all, and by his side through it all has been Roisin.
The couple were married by Fr Seamus Kelly and Fr Paddy Baker surrounded by their family and friends on Friday afternoon at St Columba’s Church, Straw
On Wednesday evening, the County Derry Post visited the Bradley household for a quick catch-up with the groom before the big day.
Speaking before tying the knot, John Francis said: “I used to be a worrier but now, after the accident, I just take things as the come. I have been through a lot but so has Roisin, mummy, daddy and all the family.
“I want Friday to be a special day for Roisin, she deserves that after everything that she has done for me. After the accident, Roisin was by my side. She was at the hospital every single day. I know I am a lucky man to be alive but I’m even luckier to be marrying Roisin.
“I am also very lucky to have so many family and friends who have been there throughout everything. The Ballinascreen footballers and hurlers in particular have been amazing. They are all like brothers to me. Everyone that is going to the wedding has stood by us.”
John Francis’ mother Marie admitted that there was a time after the accident, when she didn’t think her eldest child, would pull through.
She said: “Friday will be a great day but a very emotional day. When I think back to the accident, we were told to expect the worst. There was a time that I didn’t think that John Francis would be coming home alive never mind if he would ever be fit to walk up the aisle, so it will be a big day for us all.
“At the wedding we will be surrounded by everyone that was there for us throughout everything. The GAA in particular was so good to us. They were like an extended family. Some would forget after a while but not those boys. They have looked after us all so well.”
John Francis and Roisin asked if former parish priest of Ballinascreen, Fr Seamus Kelly, would marry them along with Fr Paddy Baker as they both supported the family in the aftermath of the accident.
Marie added: “John Francis and Rosin wanted Fr Kelly to marry them as he provided us with a lot of support after the accident. He was up and down to the hospital regularly, he also organised a special Mass in the club. Fr. Baker has also been great to us throughout it all.”
Following Mass, guests joined John Francis and at The Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny for their evening reception.
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