A South African mom planned the most spectacular Spiderman “wedding” for her young daughter fighting the biggest battle.
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 January 2018) – Sharyn O’Neill, faced with a tragic reality, knew what she had to do to celebrate Layla, her brave little girl who defied all odds and always had a smile on her face… throw her daughter a “wedding” with her biggest hero, Spiderman!
Layla was diagnosed with a very rare form of Cancer called Neuroplasm Glial Ependymom at just four years old.
Her family found out about her condition just weeks before her 4th birthday party, after she had a recurrence of an illness.
“She kept getting sick and the doctors kept saying it was a viral infection. She was experiencing pain in her legs, which we all thought was growing pains.”
In May 2013, Layla started vomiting blood and her mother immediately took her to the hospital. Layla was given an MRI scan which showed fluid on her brain and spots on her spine.
“The doctors said it was the first time they’d ever seen something like this. They operated and put in a shunt which takes the fluid away from her brain to relieve the pressure. They told us that if we had waited a day more to bring her to the hospital she would have not survived.”
“Layla’s condition is so rare that approximately 700 people in the whole world are living with the condition.”
The doctors were uncertain of her future & gave little Layla onlysix6 months to live… it’s been four4 years since that diagnosis and Layla has fought every day.
“Layla is such a little fighter. She talks about the strength that Spiderman gives her. She’s obsessed with Spiderman – he’s her favourite superhero & hero.”
Through the treatments, Sharyn has been a pillar of strength & a beacon of hope… after the first set of radiation, Layla was finding it very traumatic to see her hair falling ou,t so her mom decided to shave off the rest so that Layla wouldn’t feel scared. They both looked like urban runway models.
In October 2017, Layla had another MRI, this time with results that the family were not ready for. They went to see multiple doctors but the outcome was the same every time.
Sharon was facing a tragic realisation and decided then that she would live every day with her daughter as if it were their last. One of the biggest heartbreaks was thinking that Layla may never get the opportunity to walk down the aisle. It just didn’t seem fair… so plans were put in place for the wedding of the year.
Layla would get to marry Spiderman.
Well in the loose sense of the word. Layla would get to walk down the aisle, she would get to meet Spiderman and all her friends and family would get to celebrate with her.
The day was planned to perfection and Layla looked beautiful. Spiderman was just as dapper & after the MC made it clear that the wedding was more of a celebration of life, he asked Layla if she would always look up to Spiderman as her hero.
Her answer, forever and a day.
Spiderman then promised to keep Layla safe and look after her for eternity. There was not a dry eye in the house. After that, Layla’s family and friends showered the “partners in crime” with bubbles, petals and love. The day was filled with so much love. The evening was also planned to perfection, with speeches, delicious food, cake cutting and dancing. Lots and lots of dancing.
Layla’s dream to marry Spiderman came true and just for one day, she wasn’t sick or in pain, she was just a little girl who had a lifelong dream come true.
“I am just so happy that I was able to make her dream come true. She has never been happier and that makes my heart happy. I asked what else she wanted, absolutely anything that she wanted. And Layla replied that she had everything now, marrying Spiderman was a dream come true and nothing else matter except for those sparkly shoes she saw the other day. Sparkly shoes and Spiderman. Thats my child.”
“She makes broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walks with the universe on her shoulders and makes it look like a pair of wings.”
“A special thank you to all that came to celebrate Laylas life and make her dream come true. She is still so in love. Thank you Spiderman for treating her with love and respect, you made her heart complete. You did amazing.”
“Thank you everyone it was the best day of her life. Laylas litte bridesmaids and groomsmen you are incredible humans thank you for being by her side always and thank you Tristan for being a super awesome hero and Spiderman.”
Check out all the pictures from the beautiful day below:
Sharyn received a note from the planning team a day after the celebration:
11 January 2018 will forever be a date that is special and important to us. It was the day that we were privileged enough to be part of a team that made a brave little girls dreams come true. A day that will forever be an integral part of our careers. It proved to become a pivotal moment, a day where I got the biggest blessing and life lesson from an 8 year girl.
As a wedding planner I get to take many excited brides down the aisle and I get to make dreams come true quite often, but never have I had a bride as special as Layla.
A beautiful young girl with strength and determination like no other. The most deserving bride I have ever had the privilege to work with.
I walked into the bridal suite to find her mom Sharyn getting her ready. I said to her that it was almost time to put her dress on, because today she was a princess. Layla spun around very quickly and told me she isn’t a princess she is the QUEEN.
That in itself shows you the special soul that is Layla.
She has changed my life and has crept into my heart and she will never understand or know just how much her special day meant to me.
Thank you to her mom Sharyn for allowing us to be honoured with the task of being her wedding planner for the day. It will forever be in our hearts.
To see your daughters eyes light up when she saw Spider-Man and the joy when he promised to protect her has shown me the true meaning of happiness.
Sharyn you are an incredible mom who has an incredibly special daughter. .
God sent one of his angels to remind us to believe in fairtytales.
Thank you both for changing our lives.
Tanya and Paula, Calypso Bridal, Wedding Planning & Decor.
Tragically in the December of 2018, Layla grew her angel wings. The entire Good Things Guy team is so honoured to have known you. You were one special human.
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