The family of a north-east charity chief, who was paralysed by a rare illness, had double cause for celebration after he danced at his son’s wedding at the weekend.
Robin Maitland, 59, the trustee of the Sandpiper Trust, was able to make it to the ceremony despite fighting a mystery illness.
Doctors remain baffled by Mr Maitland’s condition after he suffered respiratory failure, following a routine back operation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in 2014.
And whilst his condition remains undiagnosed, Mr Maitland and his family have tried to remain positive throughout their ordeal.
His wife, Claire, said that whilst it was “touch and go” as to whether her husband would make it to the wedding in Edinburgh, his presence made the day even more emotional for the family.
She added: “It was just the most incredible thing, he fought off an infection 48 hours before the wedding when he should have been admitted to hospital.
“But, between the Banchory GPs, the wonderful staff at Glen O’Dee Hospital and the three unbelievable paramedics, who got him there and back, he made it.
“The paramedics went beyond the call of duty, they did it voluntarily, it was their day off, but they took it upon themselves to care for him every step of the way.
“It was a hugely emotional and happy event and we were all so pleased to see him there, especially as it was touch and go for a while.
“We really didn’t know until the morning of the wedding as to whether he would make it or not.”
Mrs Maitland confirmed that despite the odds being against Mr Maitland being a guest at the special occasion, he thoroughly enjoyed it and even made it onto the dance floor.
She added: “Harry said to me: ‘In my wildest dreams, I hoped he would make it to the chapel and see us married’, but he made it right through to 11 o’clock at night and was the last man into bed at the Glen O’Dee hospital at 3.15am.
“That was his first trip out of hospital for a year and a half.
“Robin is still on a high at the moment after the wedding; anything in this world is possible if you have the faith and the determination to do what you want to do.”
