Groom Is Determined Not to Delay His Wedding After Suffering a Stroke 2 Days Before Nuptials

After being rushed to the hospital, Mike Damschroder said his one thought was that the wedding must go on

NEED TO KNOW

• An Ohio man was determined not to delay his wedding after suffering a stroke two days before the nuptials
• After being rushed to the hospital, Mike Damschroder said his one thought was that the wedding must go on
• He and his fiancée, Paula, ended up saying “I do” in a hospital ceremony

Not even a serious medical incident could stop one Ohio groom from marrying his bride.

Toledo couple Paula and Mike Damschroder, both in their 60s, were happily looking forward to their wedding day, Sept. 20, 2025. Just two days before their nuptials, however, Mike suffered a stroke while leaving work, per local news outlet WTVG 13.

He was rushed to the University of Toledo Medical Center. While it was evident that his recovery would take time, Mike said he was determined to tie the knot with Paula as planned. According to WTVG 13, his one thought was that the wedding must go on — right there in the hospital.

When Mike informed a member of his medical team of his plan, the staff member was initially quite surprised.

“I said, 'We’re getting married tomorrow in the hospital room, and we’re going to have people here, just letting you know,' ” Mike recalled to the outlet.

While the staff member's eyes widened, he quickly replied, "Let’s see what we can do," Paula recalled.

Staff cleared one of the largest rooms on Mike's hospital floor, and the couple's loved ones gathered to witness them exchange vows. Hospital employees also peeked in on the emotional ceremony.

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“We got married legally on that day, [Sept. 20], at the time we said we were gonna,” Mike told WTVG 13.

Now, six months later, Mike is doing much better following the stroke. He has since returned to work, and he and Paula were finally able to share their first dance as husband and wife once he left the hospital.

Next on the agenda? Taking their long-awaited honeymoon.

Looking back on the experience, the couple told WTVG 13 that they are incredibly grateful to the staff at the University of Toledo Medical Center for helping them realize their wedding dream. They plan to return to the hospital soon to share their thanks in person.

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