The emotional moment a bride danced with her terminally-ill dad on her wedding day has been captured after she feared he would be too ill to attend her big day.
Bride Vanessa Wickham was worried her 65-year-old father Lew Johnston would be unable to make it to her special day as he was suffering with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was in the end stages.
Lew was diagnosed 20 years ago and as the illness obstructs airflow to the lungs he needs 24/7 oxygen to keep him alive.
As the wedding venue in Lake Arrowhead, California was 4,000ft above sea level, Vanessa and her partner Mike, 25 were unsure if Lew would be able to breath.
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As doctors warned that Lew's lungs could collapse Lew arranged to travel there for a practice run to check he could cope.
After the trial run was a success Lew was given the all clear to attend Vanessa's wedding where he proudly walked her down the aisle.
Footage also shows the moment the dad-and-daughter duo were able to share a dance together to Elton John's 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight'.
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Vanessa said the moment made her wedding day even better than she imagined. She said: "It was amazing to have my dad there. It was such a special moment to dance with him.
"He is in the end stage of COPD which has progressed rapidly over the past number of years and his quality of life has gone down a lot. He is on oxygen 24/7 now.
"We thought he wouldn't be able to come to my wedding because of the altitude and that was such a worrying few weeks.
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"It would have devastated me and I was so relieved when his doctors cleared him to go."
Dad-of-three Lew also added: "My illness is so bad now I really am lucky to get out of the house. To walk Vanessa down the aisle was the highlight of my life.
"She took my breath away. I felt like I was walking on air when I was walking her down the aisle. I didn't even notice my oxygen machine over my shoulder."
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He added: "When we were dancing it felt like Vanessa and I were the only people in the room."
Speaking about the precious moment Vanessa said: "It was honestly the most special day of my life.
"My dad is such an inspiration to me. He ran his own company and he has mentored and helped me my whole life.
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"Because of my dad's illness, it was extra meaningful. It makes you appreciate every moment you do have together."
Despite his illness Lew hopes he will live to see Vanessa and Mike have a baby together.
He said: "It's a little greedy of me but I would love to meet a grandchild.
"But I've had a good life and I take it day by day. If I wake up in the morning that's great.
"I feel very lucky that Vanessa has met a guy like Mike - her soulmate. She deserves the very best. From the day she came into our lives she's been an angel."
Featured Image Credit: SWNS