Brandi Applebaum and her husband Yoni Akerman. {Broward Health Coral Springs}
By Sharon Aron Baron
In what was set to be the culmination of two years of meticulous planning, travel blogger Brandi Applebaum, 30, experienced an unexpected detour on her wedding day — a trip to Broward Health Coral Springs’ emergency department.
The dreamy sequence of the bride descending a staircase to greet her waiting father for the cherished father-daughter first look took an unfortunate twist.
“I missed a step and then immediately grabbed the rail with my right hand,” described Applebaum.
Though she persevered to finish the descent, by the time photos commenced, the pain became evident, signaling something was wrong.
Despite the palpable discomfort, Applebaum was confident her arm wasn’t broken as she could still wiggle her fingers.
Dr. Lawrence Riesz, associate medical director of the Emergency Department at Broward Health Coral Springs, later explained the nature of her injury. Applebaum had suffered a dislocated shoulder, a common affliction given the shoulder joint’s vulnerability due to its flexibility.
Facing the unforeseen predicament, Applebaum and her groom, Yoni Akerman, a combat medic with the Florida Army National Guard, knew they had to set a calm precedent for their guests.
“It wasn’t in anyone’s interest for me to be a wreck,” the bride said, emphasizing the cascading consequences it would entail, including redoing her makeup.
As the ceremony clock ticked away, the family rushed Applebaum to Broward Health Coral Springs. The emergency team quickly diagnosed her condition via X-ray, confirming the shoulder dislocation.
With his team, Dr. Riesz worked efficiently to pop her shoulder back into its rightful place, ensuring the bride’s speedy return to her wedding. Applebaum was so moved by Dr. Riesz’s care she extended him an invite to the wedding festivities.
Despite the medical detour, Applebaum was back in time for her vows. She and her husband joyfully danced the night away, their wedding now stamped with an unforgettable tale.
Days after, Applebaum’s father conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the hospital team with a touching note, thanking them for their role in making his daughter’s special day a success.
Now, every wedding anniversary promises to be a reminder of the adventurous twist their union started with.
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