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Determined Groom Stands for Vows at Rehab Hospital After Fracturing Vertebrae

After an October car crash left him with multiple broken bones and fractured vertebrae, Mark Villada spent weeks in rehabilitation at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, Connecticut. He and his fiancée, Elise, married at the hospital on Nov. 29, where staff and his physical therapist helped him stand for their vows. Mark was discharged on Nov. 30 and reunited with his young daughter. His next recovery goal is to "be able to run."

09:33 PM, 12/03/2025Society
Determined Groom Stands for Vows at Rehab Hospital After Fracturing Vertebrae

Mark Villada was planning his wedding when a serious car crash in October left him unable to walk, suffering multiple broken bones and fractured vertebrae. He began an intensive rehabilitation program at Gaylord, a long-term acute care hospital in Wallingford, Connecticut, and focused on regaining mobility.

Wedding at the hospital

As his recovery progressed, Mark and his fiancée, Elise, decided to hold their ceremony at the hospital on Nov. 29. Hospital staff and therapists rallied to create a celebratory atmosphere, arranging decorations, a cake and drinks to mark the couple’s special day.

Physical therapist Donna Piercey worked closely with Mark on a personal milestone: standing during the vow exchange. With the team’s support, Mark stood beside Elise and delivered his vows — a powerful moment of determination and hope.

"Going through something as traumatic as that accident was for him and for us as a whole family was hard, so to have a team that was so supportive for him definitely made a huge difference," — Elise
"I'm really, really thankful for them, for everything that they did here. For getting me back on my feet, literally," — Mark

Dorothy Orlowski, manager of patient relations, described the staff’s effort as "little touches to make that day more special," emphasizing how the team prioritized meaning and celebration amid difficult circumstances.

Mark was discharged the day after the wedding, on Nov. 30, and returned home to his young daughter. Reuniting with her was a major motivator throughout his recovery. Having reached the milestone of standing for his vows, Mark says his next goal is to "be able to run" as he continues rebuilding strength and mobility.

The couple’s story highlights resilience, the impact of a supportive care team, and the everyday triumphs that follow serious injury.

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