IT’S a day she will never forget.

Joanne Isaacs relies on a team of nurses around the clock after she suffered a life-changing stroke two years ago.

The 52-year-old uses a wheelchair, has difficulties talking and is fed through a tube in her stomach.

As a child Joanne suffered a brain tumour and was even cruelly called ‘The Elephant Woman’ due to the effects it had on her appearance and never imagined she would find true love.

But Joanne has found it in husband Dave, not once, but twice after he has stood by her throughout her illness.

The couple who exemplify what love is all about renewed their vows on Saturday despite all odds in a touching ceremony in front of 200 guests.

And there wasn’t a dry eye in the church when Joanne was escorted down the aisle of Parish Church of St Edward the Confessor in Netley Abbey in a ribbon-covered wheelchair to The Wonder of You by Elvis Presley followed by eight flower girls, 14 bridesmaids, four ushers and three pageboys.

Instead of standing, Dave sat at the altar to be alongside his disabled wife.

Joanne, said: “My dreams have come true to be here with my friends and family. I feel so happy. Dave is lovely, he’s my baby and I love him too much.”

Joanne’s health problems began when she was just nine when she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour.

Though she was lucky to be alive, she was left with some learning difficulties and a limp that meant she needed to use a wheelchair when she was tired.

She was the target for bullies on the estate where she grew up though who called her The Elephant Woman in a cruel twist on the biographical film The Elephant Man about John Merrick and his deformities.

But she explained how life changed when she met Dave.

They have been inseparable since their paths crossed at a cafe in Portswood 16 years ago. It was love at first sight – Dave was playing snooker when he heard a voice from across the room say ‘one day you will be mine’.

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It was Joanne, who was infatuated by his eyes and his smile.

They married in March 2001 in a small ceremony at Southampton Registry Office with a few family members and friends.

However their blissful life together came to an abrupt halt in December 2012.

Joanne was watching TV at home with Dave when she started slurring her speech and her face dropped.

She was rushed to hospital where it was confirmed that she’d had a stroke, which left her paralysed down the right hand side of her body.

It was four months before she could leave the specialist stroke unit, but it was not the fact she could no longer eat, talk or walk that bothered her, it was whether Dave would still be by her side.

Joanne was put into a nursing home, first in Bursledon and then in Shirley, as the feeding peg means she needs specialist care, which is provided by a team of nurses.

But though they still cannot live together Dave visits Joanne every day. They go shopping, watch Eastenders and The Undateables and listen to Elvis songs.

Ollie, Joanne’s sister, explained: “He’s stood by her regardless of what has happened. They really are so in love.”

That’s why Ollie decided to organise the fairytale wedding Joanne had always dreamed of.

“I wanted to do something for Joanne as she has had such a hard life,” said Ollie. “We needed to give her and David something to look forward to and focus on after a very hard couple of years.”

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She added: “When we started organising the renewal a year ago, we just thought that Joanne and David would have their own place by the time it came around, but because Joanne needs 24/7 care, social workers say they need a three bedroom adapted bungalow or flat, and there just aren’t many of them about.”

Joanne was able to spend five hours with her family and friends before she had to return to the care home, leaving her guests to continue the celebrations with a buffet and disco at The Shed in Station Road, Netley Abbey.

Despite not being able to stay together and the heartache they have faced as a couple, Dave says it is worth it to be married to the love of his life.

“I’ve really enjoyed today,” said Dave, 54. “It was starting to feel like we were not married anymore and it’s all quite simple I love Joanne so much. We have been together for years and she means the world to me. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

“It’s been hard work to organise,” added Ollie. “But it was all worth it to see them smiling and enjoying their day together surrounded by their family and friends.

“Joanne and David are deeply in love and all they have ever wanted is to be together.”