A couple with down syndrome was told that they could not be together. But they were happy for 25 years, before the tragedy

This is a wonderful love story with some extraordinary individuals. Although everyone was told that nothing would work, they all managed to succeed. Tommy and Maryann are natives of the Essex county in England. When a boy and a girl first met, they fell in love right away. Such tales appear to be widespread, so why is this one so special? The problem is that Maryann and Tommy are Down syndrome sufferers. In a session at a facility for people with special needs in development, a girl and a boy met. A solid marriage was created right away, but they faced many obstacles before finding bliss. Tommy and Maryann experienced criticism and even cruelty. Few people also thought that they could coexist at the time.

Tommy, 62, and his wife Maryanne Pilling (pictured), 48, who tied the knot in 1995, had been isolating together at their home in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, during the pandemic

After all, it can be quite challenging for persons with Down syndrome to live a life, and such partnerships are extremely uncommon. However, those who were loving were able to overcome all biases, demonstrating that genuine love has no bounds. Marianne was born in 1971 into a loving and understanding family who welcomed her unusualness with open arms. The youngster was raised by her mother and sister, who also shielded her from the harshness of the outside world. But since her father divorced his wife right away, Maryann never saw men as family. She had adequate communication with her mother and sister, who adored the sweet and understanding young woman. In 1958, on March 21st, Tommy was born. It’s interesting that the World Day of a Person with Down Syndrome is observed at this time. Maryann’s life was full of joy, but Tommy’s wasn’t. The youngster, who became an orphan at the age of 12, was raised in a special institution.

But Tommy (pictured on his wedding day in 1995), who was diagnosed with dementia six years ago, has now caught the deadly virus and is in hospital, his loved ones revealed in a Facebook post

Tommy was 32 years old when he first met Maryann. My beloved and I had an age gap of up to 13 years! But neither this nor Maryann’s Down syndrome stopped them from getting married and having a real relationship! The girl’s mother remembers how thrilled her daughter had been to finally meet her special someone. Marianne was all smiles and chatter about her new friend. She asked Tommy to a dinner party at her home that same day. The two started dating right away. Tommy chose to propose to Maryann a year and a half after they started dating since he had no doubt that she was his one and only love. However, it wasn’t that easy. We are well aware of the societal perspective that has evolved toward individuals with Down syndrome. Remember that this story’s action occurred in the 1990s.

Tommy (pictured with his wife of 25-years) had a fall on December 10 and then caught Covid

The young couple received a storm of criticism and were frequently met with an unfavorable or merely insufficient response from others. At the same time, it was crucial for Tommy to get Maryann’s mother’s approval for their engagement. She hesitated for a while before finally bestowing her blessing on the pair. People claimed that Tommy and Maryann couldn’t coexist for even one day. They found this relationship to be wholly inappropriate, but nothing is more powerful than love! Nobody else’s opinions mattered to Tommy and Maryann; they were simply content being together. The lovely nuptials were held on July 15, 1995. Because Tommy and Maryann were the first Down syndrome-identified married couple, this occasion is now part of history. The bride wore a stunning white gown with a lengthy veil, while the groom wore a formal suit.

Earlier, Lindi revealed: '[Maryanne] (pictured with her husband) is absolutely lost. She is trying so hard to put on a brave face but she keeps breaking down in tears'

Later on, Maryann acknowledged that it was her happiest day ever! The newlyweds first shared a home with their sister Linda following the wedding, but after seven years they moved into their own property. The woman thinks that for a unique family, this was a crucial step. Tommy and Maryann felt self-sufficient because they cohabitated and could care for themselves. They dispelled misconceptions regarding Down syndrome and served as an inspiration to many others who share the same syndrome. After all, some think that it is just impossible to find love and be happy with such a diagnosis. By setting a good example, Maryann and Tommy showed that this is untrue. In social media, Linda created a page where she shared tales from the life of a unique married pair.

In July 2018, Tommy dissolved into tears while discussing his love for his wife on ITV's This Morning, as they spoke to Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby (above)

Such blogs have gained a lot of traction and have helped family of Down syndrome individuals regain hope for a happy life. After all, Maryann and Tommy maintained active lives, enjoyed dining out and going to the movies, played golf, and traveled. They demonstrated that it is entirely feasible for people like them to be happy. However, the idyll was ruined in 2014. Tommy was given the most awful prognosis possible: dementia. The man had issues with speaking, coordination, and memory. Tommy started to lose sight of his wife, which alarmed Maryann. And then the unrepairable occurred a few years later… The man developed pneumonia, which led to his death. After over 25 years of cohabitation with his wife, Tommy passed away in 2019.

 

Marianne was devastated when her spouse passed away, but she cherishes his memories irrationally. Despite the fact that no one accepted their union, they spent years together in bliss. Thousands of others worldwide were moved by Tommy and Maryann’s narrative, which also helped them reclaim their belief in true love. People with Down syndrome are able to hold onto their deep, sincere emotions throughout their lives in addition to experiencing them. All right, friends! Tell your relatives and friends about this article, leave comments, and give it likes. We’ll talk soon.

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