Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 7:25am

Louise battles back from two brain tumours to marry sweetheart

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HAPPY TOGETHER: Sweethearts Louise and Scott with Dido, who helped turn Louise's life around.

A BRAVE Dunfermline woman left deaf after surviving two brain tumours has found more than puppy love as she gets set to wed the man of her dreams.

Last year the Press brought you the story of how Louise Rodgers had regained her confidence with the help of hearing dog Dido after being devastated at losing her hearing.

As part of treatment to remove two tumours found on each side of her head, she underwent a gruelling 14-hour op at Edinburgh's Western Infirmary, before suffering a mini-stroke in her right ear that meant her hearing was not going to return.

Now Louise is preparing to put years of health hell behind her to marry sweetheart Scott Richie, who is also deaf after contracting meningitis as a child.

Louise said, "We met on an internet dating site a friend recommended to me.

"I didn't know sign language very well so on the first date there was a lot of writing things down but we had a lot in common and he made me laugh.

"Scott proposed as we were getting ready to go out for dinner on our 18-month anniversary.

He just said, "I've got a question to ask you," then he got down on one knee and I started screaming as I realised what was happening.

"I couldn't answer at first as I was so shocked but he looked ill still on one knee waiting for an answer and I managed a head nod."

The couple are set to marry on 18th June this year at Dunfermline's Garvock House Hotel, with Dido, who came to Louise through charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, set to be a special guest of honour.

"Dido and I have a bond like I never knew existed.

"She really has changed my life so much.

"I never would've had the confidence to go outside let alone to meet Scott if it hadn't been for her," Louise added.

"We're very much a family. We make sure Dido is never left out of anything and she will be at the wedding front and centre.

"I just hope it's not a wet day or I'll get a bit dirty," she joked.

Louise is currently undergoing regular check ups to keep tabs on the status of three smaller tumours discovered two years ago but she remains positive in her outlook on life.

"I love my life so much more now than before.

"Every day I wake up happy and I'm so looking forward to our wedding and our future together.

"I can't stress enough how much Dido and hearing dogs has changed my life.

"Without them I dread to think of where I would be now," she said.