In 2015, Halifax mother Riona Kelly, 37, was left paralyzed from the waist down after a spinal stroke. Just days into her hospital stay, her husband ended their marriage, leaving her devastated.
Doctors warned she might never walk again, and Riona admitted she struggled with despair. But through relentless physiotherapy and determination, she defied expectations. After months of hard work, she took her first steps and eventually regained the ability to walk short distances, while still relying on her wheelchair for longer ones.
Along the way, she met personal trainer Keith Mason, who became her partner. Together, they built a new life, and Riona went on to complete two marathons, crediting her recovery to resilience, love, and unwavering spirit.