A disabled mum-of-three walked down the aisle unaided after beating a crippling neurological disease – by becoming a bodybuilder.
Lisa Bradley, 28, could barely lift herself out of bed and needed 24-hour care when she was diagnosed with a rare spinal disorder.
But when a series of operations and daily cocktail of drugs failed to ease her constant pain she decided on a completely new approach and struggled to the gym.
Lisa worked with a personal trainer and began lifting tiny weights but was soon pulling off squats, bench presses and bicep curls as her symptoms eased.
In just six months she went from bloated and bed-bound to ripped and athletic – shedding a staggering 10 dress sizes – as her growing strength combated her illness.
And to the delight of her family she proudly walked down the aisle on the arm of her father Pat as she married partner Derry Bradley, 34.
Lisa said: "It was amazing to be able to walk down the aisle – I nearly ran it.
"I had no pain whatsoever and felt so confident. My GP is completely amazed and can't believe the difference in me.
"My condition got so severe, it would hurt if I sneezed or moved my toes. I needed assistance for everything, even moving in bed.
"I've gone from needing 24 hour care and being pushed in a wheelchair to training twice a day six times a week.
"I no longer have any pain and have come off my medication – and it's all down to pumping iron."
Lisa, who has children Brannan, 10, Olan, three, and Allayna, two, with Derry, was diagnosed with syringomyelia in 2009.
The rare disease causes cysts to grow in the spinal cord that can eventually destroy it and leave the sufferer paralysed.
Lisa had two major spinal operations but her body became frail and ballooned to a size 22 dress because of the lack of exercise.
At the height of her illness she was forced to endure regular painkilling injections and was on a daily cocktail of tablets, patches and injections.
She decided to try the bodybuilding approach after agreeing to marry Derry – and now intends to keep up her training for life because it's the only thing keeping her condition at bay.
She's so proud of her new muscles she's entering a bodybuilding show next year.
Lisa, who lives in Cork, Ireland, said: "I have no intention of giving up, I want to continue working with my personal trainer and break even more barriers.
"I feel like it's saved my life. I can do everything I want with my kids and am able to get the most out of life.
"I was determined not to let my children grow up watching me in pain and unable to move."