This young man from Russia was born with a condition that left him completely debilitated. Feeling hopeless and alone, the internet became his only connection with the outside world. Amazingly, he soon found his love online, 3,000 kilometers away, a love that has endured six years as of August 2019.
When Grigory Prutov was born to his parents in Vladivostok, Russia, he seemed every bit a healthy baby. He did, however, occasionally wake up with back pains.
Later on, things took an unfortunate turn for the worse, as Grigory was diagnosed with muscular atrophy, which caused his spine muscles to deteriorate completely. He soon required 24-hour care and was not expected to live past 4 or 5 years. His parents, however, refused to give up on their son and sought in vain for a cure.
Unfortunately, the disease completely deprived Grigory of having a normal life. He was completely debilitated and unable to walk. By the age of 20, he only weighed 45 pounds (approx. 20 kg). He spent most of this time at home, and whenever he went out, he was met with impolite stares. The internet became his main connection with the outside world, and he was lonely.
Grigory one day shared his feelings online…
“I can’t experience the world in all its beauty. It hurts to think about all the things that I can never have…” he posted.
“I can’t experience the world in all its beauty. I can’t swim in a river or in the ocean. I can’t run around in the grass without pain. I can’t help my friends carry things. I can’t take care of the people I love. I can’t make them happy...”
“…and I’ll never know what it’s like to be loved, how it feels when someone wants you, when someone is jealous or proud to introduce you. I’ll never know what it’s like to hug someone I love, to protect her, to dance with her, to give her flowers or make her a gift.”
He continued: “I’ll never be able to raise a son or a daughter. I’ll never stand in the maternity ward with a bouquet of roses and shout ‘I love you!’ I’ll never have a beautiful wedding and carry my bride across the threshold.”
Fortuitously, he met the love of his life, Anna, from Kazakhstan, two months later online. Like him, she was a hopeless romantic, and loved art and writing. Grigory soon fell in love with Anna, though at the time, he did not know if the feeling was mutual, and he was afraid of how she might react to his condition.
When Grigory finally did share his feelings, and sent her a photo of himself, Anna decided to fly the 3,000 kilometers to see him in person.
The couple eventually met. They fell deeply in love and decided to get married. Grigory had originally wanted a quiet, innocuous wedding, but it soon grew into something that was sensationalized and celebrated nationally.
There were many people who were surprised that Grigory was able to find his true love despite his condition. Some even ridiculed the couple, questioning why a healthy young woman, such as Anna, would be interested in a man like Grigory. But to the couple, it did not matter. It was their own happiness and love for each other that mattered.
Years after their marriage, Grigory and Anna welcomed the arrival of their son. Now, they are a happy family of three!
