A mother who lost the ability to walk after being diagnosed with ALS was able to dance with her son on his wedding day with the help of his brothers.
Kathy Poirier, 55, from Florida, suffers from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve control in the brain and spine and leads to a loss of muscle control.
When her son Zak Poirier, 28, married Anja d’Adesky, 27, on April 9, he enlisted his brothers’ help to make his mother’s wish of sharing a dance with him on his big day a reality.
Kathy Poirier, 55, from Florida, shared a heartwarming dance with her son Zak Poirier, 28, on his wedding day last month with the help of his brothers
The mom suffers from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve control in the brain and spine and leads to a loss of muscle control
Footage of Kathy’s sons holding her upright on the dance floor was shared on Instagram last month and has since gone viral.
‘My Mom was diagnosed with ALS shortly before I graduated law school. Since that time, I’ve watched her bravely fight her diagnosis and challenge the odds against her,’ Zak explained in his post.
‘Despite not being able to stand on her own, my Mom and I shared a dance at my wedding. She inspires me every day to be humble, kind and selfless. Love you Mom.’
The video began with Kathy sitting in her wheelchair as her three sons escorted her to the dance floor for the mother-son dance.
When her son Zak married Anja d’Adesky, 27, on April 9, he enlisted his brothers to make his mother’s wish of sharing a dance with him a reality
Footage of Kathy’s three sons lifting her out of her wheelchair and holding her upright on the dance floor was shared on Instagram last month
The foursome slowly moved along to the music as Zak whispered to is mother, ‘I love you’
Her eyes were filled with tears as she was lifted out of the wheelchair and into her children’s arms. The foursome slowly moved along to the music as Zak whispered, ‘I love you,’ into his mother’s ear.
After the dance, Kathy’s sons lowered her back into the chair while guests gave them a standing ovation.
Zak kissed his mother on the forehead before presenting her to the cheering crowd.
Root to Stems, a wedding planning company in Tampa, Florida, also posted a video of the moment on Instagram, where it has been viewed a whopping 2.7 million times.
After the dance, Kathy’s sons lowered her back into the chair while guests gave them a standing ovation
‘Despite not being able to stand on her own, my Mom and I shared a dance at my wedding. She inspires me every day to be humble, kind and selfless,’ Zak wrote on Instagram
One video of the heartwarming moment has been viewed more than 2.7 million times, and many commenters were overcome with emotion after watching it
‘My good cry for the day. Bless your heart, bless your mom. Your mom raised a good man,’ one person commented.
Another added: ‘The way you look at her, talk to her and take her into your arms is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.’
‘This is absolutely beautiful,’ someone else shared, adding a prayer emoji.
A third user said: ‘This is incredible man! Congratulations on your wedding.’
The footage also inspired people to share their own stories of loved ones who are battling ALS.
‘Truly beautiful moment. I lost my father to ALS last year and during my wedding he could barely walk, but we didn’t know his diagnosis,’ one person explained. ‘Wish I would have tried this… we never [got to] dance. My support to you and your family.’
