KATY, TX (Covering Katy News) - Tatiana Palza's life was exciting as she planned her wedding in early 2023. She looked forward to a traditional service with all her family and friends in attendance and her 80-year-old father walking her down the aisle, but things quickly became complicated.
Tatiana's father, Jorge Palza, began struggling with back pain during the pandemic. His condition became so painful that he needed surgery in April. He expected a quick procedure would allow him to walk his daughter down the aisle on May 27. Unfortunately, complications led to an additional surgery that prevented him from standing or walking.
Tatiana and her father were both heartbroken.
"I am his only daughter, and I know he always wanted to walk me down the aisle," Tatiana said.
Memorial Hermann
Palza Wedding
After several weeks and little progress, he transitioned from the hospital where the surgery did not go well to the Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Katy, where he hoped to learn to stand and walk again.
The pain in Jorge's back was compounded by the prospect of missing his daughter's wedding. Doctors were concerned that the mental trauma created by his disappointment was preventing him from healing physically.
Knowing that Jorge could not attend the wedding, the Memorial Hermann staff made it possible for the wedding to come to him at the rehabilitation facility in Katy. It took a team effort to pull it off and make it a surprise for Jorge.
"My family and friends arranged the service. I worked with the hospital staff to make it all happen," Tatiana said.
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Tatiana father was there to see the wedding and take part in the photos following the service.
The morning of the wedding, as part of his physical and occupational therapy, the team helped him shower, shave, and get dressed. Jorge thought it was a routine physical therapy exercise.
"I thought I was going to see my daughter as usual," Jorge said. "Then I got dressed with my suit, and the whole family came; everybody was wearing nice clothes."
When Tatiana arrived in her wedding dress, Jorge knew that the staff was doing more than a typical physical therapy exercise.
"I saw my daughter with her wedding dress, and she looked amazing!"
"As a therapist, our goal is to return our patients to their highest level of functioning," said Kendra Smart of Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital - Katy. "Specifically as an occupational therapist, we use therapeutic activities that are meaningful and purposeful to the person we are working with. What is more meaningful and purposeful than working on getting dressed for your daughter's wedding? That was the most meaningful and motivating therapy session he could have had."
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Tatiana greets her father prior to the wedding.
The wedding ceremony took place outside under the trees. Jorge could not walk but was there in a wheelchair.
"This really helped with my mental health and mood," Jorge said. "I never felt left out."
It was helpful for Tatiana's mood too.
"He could not literally walk me, but we were together on such a wonderful day," Tatiana said. "We not only received God's blessing, but my husband asked my dad for my hand, and that made my dad really happy."
A priest presided over the ceremony as her father and family members watched.
Memorial Hermann
A priest conducted the wedding ceremony at Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital in Katy.
"In the days leading up to Tatiana's wedding, Mr. Palza was feeling pretty down, and rightfully so, as he thought he was missing his daughter's wedding," Smart said. "But afterward there was a noticeable shift in his demeanor and participation. It was just the spark he needed to light the fire in accomplishing his therapy goals."
"I am forever thankful to all the Memorial Hermann staff that made this possible and even cried with us," Tatiana said. "Some brides don't have that luxury because their father may no longer be on this earth. However, I am lucky to have my dad with me," Tatiana said. "All my family showed up to make this moment memorable."
It was memorable for Tatiana's family, and the staff of Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation - Katy.
"It was confirmation for me that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing in life, and that a simple gesture or act of kindness can be enough to change someone's story," Smart said.
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Tatiana and Jorge Palza.