A COUPLE with Downs syndrome have renewed their wedding vows after 20 years of marriage to show those who said it would never last just how wrong they were.
Maryanne, 44 and Tommy Pilling, 57, first met at the Maybrook day centre in Southend, 25 years ago and tied the knot in 1995.
However, they were subjected to torrents of criticism because of their condition, with many saying their relationship was impossible.
But the couple are still going strong and on Saturday they proved people wrong by walking up the aisle of St Mary’s Church in Shoebury to renew their vows.
Lindi Newman, 27, Mrs Pilling’s sister, who lives opposite the couple in West Road, Shoebury said: “They renewed their vows because they had so much trouble from people around them who said it was terrible they were going to get married and asked our mum Linda what she thought she was doing by allowing the wedding to go ahead.
“This is a big milestone for any couple let alone them. They wanted to show how wrong those people were. They’ve been so happy together."
Read the full love story here.
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