Gillian was nicknamed ‘Big Momma G’ because of her size 30, 25st body. But after years of hiding under the duvet and switching off her bedroom light, she vowed to ditch the flab and underwent an £11K gastric bypass. After shedding an incredible 13st, she’s sassier than ever and loves treating hubby Colin to some sultry outfits and X-rated moves.
As seen in Real People.
Hannah’s boyfriend Rhys proposed after strangers around the world helped her beat his challenge of 489 likes, 499 shares and 500 Facebook comments. Rhys had originally been planning to hide a ring in some sushi, but when Hannah mentioned that she’d seen people get laptops or puppies after getting lots of likes on Facebook, he decided to set the rather unusual challenge. After Hannah’s status went viral, Rhys dutifully proposed outside their local town hall. The social media savvy couple now plan to wed at Disney World next summer.
As seen in the Mirror, Metro and Mail Online.
Fun-loving Jean never thought she’d find her Mr Right as she was born with a condition called Apert syndrome, which causes facial malformation. Cruelly dubbed ‘ugly’ by bullies, she was self-conscious about her appearance and had given up all hope of getting married and having a family of her own. But all that changed when she met Martin, who Jean says has finally made her ‘feel beautiful’.
Jean shares her touching story in this week’s Pick Me Up.
Born with Apert syndrome, Jean has spent her whole life defending herself from cruel bullies who call her ‘ugly’. Her condition affects just one in in 200,000 births in the UK and causes malformations of the skull, face, hands and feet. Following her birth 26 years ago, doctors warned her parents that she wouldn’t live past her third birthday. But Jean defied the odds and two years ago found love with Martin, who has cerebral palsy. Now the couple hope to get married and start a family.
As seen in the New Day.
When Carys met Garry on the online dating website eHarmony, she thought she’d found the one. Little did she know that Garry would turn into a violent monster who beat her black and blue in a terrifying attack.
Carys bravely shared her story in Bella to raise awareness for other victims of domestic violence.
For help and support regarding domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline.
Michelle wasn’t expecting to fall in love with her son’s friend, Carmarni – who was 16 years her junior. But with her son’s blessing, the two became a couple and began a future together. However, after Michelle tried to end the relationship, Carmarni trapped Michelle in her flat before raping her and force-feeding her anti-anxiety medication to stop her from fleeing and telling the police. Nevertheless, Michelle managed to escape and bravely took Carmarni to court to see him jailed for 18 years.
She shared her story in That’s Life.
Mercedes was looking forward to spending Valentine’s Day with her new boyfriend, Simon. In fact, she was intending to rustle up her speciality dish of pork and cabbage spring rolls. But as she drizzled oil into the pan, it set alight. As the flames soared, Mercedes ran towards the kitchen door – tripping her cat, Turbo, and flinging the scorching oil all over herself. After being rushed to hospital in an ambulance, Mercedes underwent several painful skin grafts and is now scarred for life. Hoping to use her story to inspire other women, Mercedes says that she and Simon are still very much in love but will definitely be getting a takeaway this year.
Her story was published in Pick Me Up.
As soon as Sara laid eyes on hunky Hasan during a safari tour, she was smitten. She quickly moved over to Turkey with her daughter, and she and Hasan married in a beautiful ceremony and had a son together. But flirty Hasan always had an eye for the ladies and Sara couldn’t shake off the suspicion that her hunk in trunks was giving someone else an eyeful. Then one day, she was devastated to discover saucy messages between Hasan and another woman, who was begging to ‘meet up at the hotel again’. Humiliated and betrayed, Sara told Hasan she was leaving and packed her bags and moved her children back to the UK. The now-single Lothario strenuously denies Sara’s cheating allegations and when approached stated: “None of this is true. Sara is crazy when she’s had a drink.”
Sara shared her story in Take a Break.
Donna was devastated when her stepfather died, but she was dealt a double-blow when her beloved husband was stabbed to death while they attended the funeral. Describing Peter as her ‘soul mate’, Donna told Woman’s Own how she is coping after losing the most important person in her life and why she won’t let his evil killer, Johnny Nicholles, spoil her cherished memories of Peter.
Brave Olwen, 30, was abused by her sick cousin Christopher, 37, who had been trusted to babysit her as a child. After keeping his dark secret for almost 20 years, she was shocked into going to the police after discovering he had a family of his own. Unable to bear the idea of him abusing anyone else, she reported his sick crimes – cleverly getting him to admit his guilt in a Facebook message. With the help of the message, Christopher was convicted of abusing Olwen and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison in July last year.
Olwen’s inspiring story is in this week’s Pick Me Up.
Charlotte Brazier