Life
World’s first couple with Down syndrome to get married celebrate 27 years
They met in their teens and are still going strong!
Khadija Bilal
10.14.19

Down syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in every 1,000 births worldwide, making it quite a common genetic disorder when compared to others. In the past, sadly, many people with Down syndrome had short life expectancies as there was a real lack of understanding of the condition.

Since then, a lot of progress has been made, and even though people with Down syndrome generally have learning difficulties and other issues to deal with, more and more individuals are leading happier, healthier, and longer lives than ever before.

For a wonderful example of this, we only need to look at the inspiring story of Gareth and Deana, holders of the world record for the longest marriage between two people with Down syndrome.

Metro
Source:
Metro

Gareth was only 17 years old when he met Deana, who was 19 at the time, back in 1981. The pair met at a local community center in Cumbria in the north west of England. Gareth was quite popular with the ladies back then, telling Metro that he had three girlfriends before Deana, but adding that she was the “right one” for him.

The pair began as friends, but their mutual attraction grew and grew, developing into a loving relationship. Deana recalls that it was Gareth’s ginger hair and beard that first attracted her to him.

Interestingly, their families had no idea how serious their relationship really was, until they announced their engagement.

Metro
Source:
Metro

On Deana’s birthday, Gareth took her to Blackpool on vacation and proposed. The pair got married in July of 1992, becoming the first people with Down syndrome in the world to get married, with dozens of happy friends and family members there to witness the happy moment.

They recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary, giving them the record for longest Down syndrome marriage. Their closest challengers for the title are another British couple named Maryanne and Tommy Pilling, who have been married for 24 years. A New York couple, Paul and Kris Scharoun-DeForge, were married for 25 years until Paul sadly passed away last year.

Metro
Source:
Metro

Gareth’s mom, Anne, can still remember the wedding day like it was yesterday.

It was so lovely. They were so prepared for it, they both knew their vows off by heart. The vicar started to say the vows and they didn’t have to repeat them, they both just spouted them out… They were absolutely wonderful, they thought it was magical. They did the song from Dirty Dancing, where the woman runs up to him and he lifts her up. So Deana ran towards him and he lifted her up. Then everybody got up and sang You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Metro
Source:
Metro

Anne also said that, like any couple, Gareth and Deana have had their “ups and downs” but have stayed strong through it all and still love each other as much as ever.

So what’s their secret to a long and happy marriage? Well, when asked this question, Gareth responded simply and purely:

I put up with Deana, and she puts up with me.

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