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Meet baby girl of bride paralyzed at bachelorette party

Michelle Boudin
WCNC
Meet baby girl of bride paralyzed at bachelorette party.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The quiet moments are the moments Rachelle Friedan Chapman has longed for, but worried might never happen.

"My first question was am I going to be able to be a mom? Am I going to be able to have children?"

Rachelle, who lives with her husband outside of Raleigh, became known as the paralyzed bride after a freak accident at her bachelorette party left her paralyzed from the chest down.

She and husband Chris decided to use a surrogate, a college friend, after doctors told Rachelle the blood pressure medication she's on could make pregnancy dangerous.

She and Chris are overwhelmed by the gift, but Rachelle admits she would love to have carried Kaylee.

"With my injury I've just learned everything is what it is. I can't complain about it. Obviously I wish that I could have been pregnant, that I could have gone through the labor and I wish I could be feeding her naturally but it just didn't work out that way for us. It was healthier for us this way and we had an amazing surrogate in Laurel."

She worried over the last nine months about bonding with her baby. Her husband says it's not an issue.

"It's overwhelming to see Rachelle with her, she's so happy, they've bonded and connected," Chris Chapman says.

But Rachelle only has limited use of her hands, so some things take a little figuring out.

"I just have to stay positive knowing the first time I change a diaper, it probably isn't gonna work out. The first time I put her on a table to change her it's not going to work out, but eventually will I just have to keep trying and working on it."

She spent the last nine months upping her workouts - getting ready.

"I wanted to get as independent and strong as possible in those nine months before she got here. The stronger I am the more I can do for her."

And she wants everyone to know, despite her injury, she can be a great mom.

Watch the video above to see Rachelle in action as a new and proud mom.

"I'm 100 percent sure well be amazing parents. Kaylee will be raised in an amazing home and be an awesome kid. Hopefully I can show the world exactly what I'm capable of."

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