--- title: "Video: From Tragedy to a Walk Down the Aisle | Sutter Health" description: "Bill Bagnani's survival and quality of life are possible thanks to a dedicated team of specialists across Sutter Health." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient Stories](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) / 3. Video: From Tragedy to a Walk Down the Aisle # Video: From Tragedy to a Walk Down the Aisle * * * 2025 Contributors: [Anu Agarwal](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-anu-agarwal-1046249343), [Ying Cao](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-ying-cao-1046243916), [Sophie Fletcher](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-sophie-g-fletcher-1046243453), [Rajat Goyal](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-rajat-goyal-1089981661), [Samantha Marbut](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/samantha-l-marbut-1046247457), [Thomas Neal](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-thomas-a-neal-1046243959), [Jonathan Peng](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-jonathan-a-peng-1046250709), [Joseph Rodriguez](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-josephtony-f-rodriguez-1046247576), [Christian Spies](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-christian-spies-1046247057) In 1991, Bill Bagnani traded the hustle of Silicon Valley for the serenity of wine country, taking a job as an assistant winemaker at Jordan Vineyard and Winery in Healdsburg, Calif. Life felt promising until a tragic accident changed everything While working on an elevated catwalk, Bagnani slipped on water and fell 12 feet onto a concrete floor. The impact broke his neck and damaged his spinal cord, leaving him with quadriplegia, a symptom of paralysis that affects a person’s limbs and body from the neck down. Bagnani couldn’t then imagine what his future would hold. Dreams like walking a daughter down the aisle seemed impossible. Thirty-four years later, Bagnani, who is 70 and living in Geyserville, experienced a milestone that filled his heart with joy. Though he never had children of his own, Naomi Bagnani Abla, the daughter of his former caretaker, who has for years lovingly called him “Uncle Bill,” asked him to walk her down the aisle. For Bagnani, this was a dream come true. “I never thought I’d adopt a daughter,” Bagnani said. “When Naomi told me she wanted me to walk her down the aisle at her wedding, I was like, ‘Oh my God! That’s fantastic.’” Bagnani’s journey hasn’t been easy. In addition to quadriplegia, he lives with a tracheostomy and requires highly specialized, coordinated care. His survival and quality of life are possible thanks to a dedicated team of specialists across Sutter Health, including [Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health-plan/med-group/sutter-medical-group-of-the-redwoods-1047115795) , [Palo Alto Medical Foundation](https://www.ipfcc.org/bestpractices/sutter-health.html) and [Sutter West Bay Medical Group](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health-plan/med-group/sutter-west-bay-medical-group-1047115800) . “As a patient with multiple complex conditions, Bill requires a large, synchronized team to keep him healthy,” explained [Dr. Daniel Brenner](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-daniel-brenner-1046234130) , a SMRG cardiologist. “Bill’s case is a perfect example of Sutter’s ‘Power of One’ and how exceptional care happens when multiple physicians work together as a team.” The Power of One philosophy at Sutter means treating patients collectively, ensuring every specialist is interconnected and involved in all aspects of a patient’s care. For Bagnani, this collaboration has proven lifesaving. ![Group of doctors headshots](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/ZPjSPbs_F8zIek6WZtBz4XPOl6wFcIkKpjqwBrMQwe8/629x436.jpg) Bill Bagnani’s care team includes board-certified physicians from specialty groups across Sutter Health. “My doctors are unbelievable,” Bagnani said. “The nurses, the entire staff – they’re all great! They’re keeping me alive.” Reflecting on his journey, Bagnani feels grateful. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been,” he said. “I could’ve died in 1991, and a number of times since. But I didn’t. And my life has been really rewarding.” ![The bride and groom with the bride's adopted father](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/zwlyIs2VDJutpLfQn3YvUhucBZjPulg1UotprH7Jy1g/1075x747.png) ## Discover similar stories Choose a service topic below to read more stories like this one. [Heart and vascular](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories?verticalKey=patient_story&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_services.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Heart+and+vascular%22%5D%7D%5D)[Urology](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories?verticalKey=patient_story&facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_services.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Urology%22%5D%7D%5D) ## Your Partners in Whole-Person Health At Sutter, board-certified physicians work together across specialties to provide trusted, innovative care. [Request a Referral](https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals) ## Meet our care team ![Samantha L. Marbut, N.P.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/vczDxZv8shd0CQcU6AWv_qfU3swFm1-4RQIQne1C2ss/480x480.png) [Samantha L. Marbut, N.P.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/samantha-l-marbut-1046247457) Cardiovascular Disease ![Jonathan A. Peng, M.D., M.S., FACC](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/RyY-uJSEkqLOFlproZMR6MkK2JjKI_nq3RKfOKKafyI/480x480.png) [Jonathan A. Peng, M.D., M.S., FACC](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-jonathan-a-peng-1046250709) Cardiovascular Disease ![Thomas A. Neal, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/ScCEWqsmNYFNzxIOmej9cxc5cRvyYNQEDQVWR8XNP-s/480x480.jpg) [Thomas A. Neal, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-thomas-a-neal-1046243959) Family Medicine ![Rajat Goyal, M.D.](https://a.mktgcdn.com/p/c1uncxU9Nyi-6cTHwekHM0lES8AOEtcAEIasD-TPSPE/480x480.jpg) [Rajat Goyal, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-rajat-goyal-1089981661) Electrophysiology Cardiovascular Disease ![Ying Cao, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/NRicvtKzQ8rvlRoSMcEH9se3B64SnA70UYY07xRShac/1.0000/191x191.jpg) [Ying Cao, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-ying-cao-1046243916) Medical Oncology ![Joseph (Tony) F. Rodriguez, III, M.D.](https://a.mktgcdn.com/p/nNcDQO-rjIcsGOU4hZOwrqu2nHhQLSThbht_QaiHEoc/480x480.jpg) [Joseph (Tony) F. Rodriguez, III, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-josephtony-f-rodriguez-1046247576) Urology ![Sophie A. Fletcher, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/SifY8CiE7bjYX0WQD6yUYnmBJOvqHL1p60WApD6oRKk/1.0000/191x191.jpg) [Sophie A. Fletcher, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-sophie-g-fletcher-1046243453) Urology ![Christian Spies, M.D.](http://a.mktgcdn.com/p/vkkPR8aoGT4Z5KM6gJV2hHK8fn7lTiPXnye7g-MeTKM/480x480.jpg) [Christian Spies, M.D.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-christian-spies-1046247057) Cardiovascular Disease Interventional Cardiology ![Anu Agarwal, M.D., FACC](https://a.mktgcdn.com/p/M3dqVpaz5S4M6Zki7pU1nGiQtDb1sNVieitdgaEQF-Y/480x480.jpg) [Anu Agarwal, M.D., FACC](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-anu-agarwal-1046249343) Cardiovascular Disease ## Related articles [View all articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) - Patient story ### [Couple Establish Endowed Chair for Cardiology Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/couple-establish-endowed-chair-for-cardiology-research-2023563891) Napa residents Jim and Carol White have pledged $5 million to advance cardiology care at Sutter Health. - Patient story ### [Riveting Video: How Teen Was Saved When Her Heart Failed](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/riveting-video-how-teen-was-saved-when-her-heart-failed-2023563865) Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento care teams quickly partnered to save the life of Catherine Cai, a teen from China. - Patient story ### [Ultimate Frisbee Player Scores Big, Survives Heart Attack](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/ultimate-frisbee-player-scores-big-survives-heart-attack-2023563863) Jennifer Carothers-Liske was playing ultimate frisbee with a group of friends in October when she suffered a heart attack. [View all articles](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Disclaimer _Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice._ ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patient Stories","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Video: From Tragedy to a Walk Down the Aisle"}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967#videoobject","name":"Bill Bagnani’s Journey: From Tragedy to Wedding Day Joy (FULL)","inLanguage":"en-US","thumbnailUrl":"https://cf-images.us-east-1.prod.boltdns.net/v1/static/817826402001/657c4d94-267d-4acf-bab1-bb240f33a6ed/9a7f9219-2d59-4953-a070-4ca5ede83f41/1280x720/match/image.jpg","uploadDate":"2025-12-18T21:12:37.969Z","embedUrl":"https://players.brightcove.net/817826402001/79bcaa57-54d7-453c-9f1f-8ab3ef7b15de/index.html?videoId=6386662277112","description":"After a life-changing accident left Bill Bagnani with quadriplegia, he never imagined walking someone down the aisle. At 70, thanks to advanced care from across Sutter Health, he fulfills that dream.","duration":"PT4M47S","transcript":"[MUSIC PLAYING]\nBILL BAGNANI: I was so grateful for being\nable to walk my daughter down the aisle\nand making it to the wedding and really doing great.\nAnd, really, I'm thankful for every day I've got.\nI'm 70 now, and I'm a quadriplegic.\nThat's like-- my insurance company thought I'd die years\nago, but I haven't.\nAnd so I'm going to try and stick around\nas long as possible.\nI never thought that I'd have a daughter.\nLet's say we went back 20 years.\nI never thought, oh, I'm going to end up adopting, a daughter.\nSo back in July, when Naomi said she was going to get married\nand wanted me to walk her down the aisle, I was like, oh,\nmy god, that's fantastic, and then moved back up here\nand then started working with Jordan Vineyard & Winery out\nin Alexander Valley.\nThe winemaking staff, I worked with the winemaker\nto actually have hands on making the wine.\nAnd that's where I got hurt at in 1991.\nThere was some water on one of the catwalks.\nAnd I slipped off of it and fell on the back\nof my neck about 12 feet down to the concrete floor\nand broke my neck and my spinal cord.\n\nDANIEL BRENNER: He's a paraplegic.\nHe has a tracheostomy, so he requires advanced pulmonary care\non a daily basis.\nHe's had several issues with kidney problems.\nAnd prior to all that, he's had multiple risk factors\nfor heart disease-- things like coronary disease, conduction\ndisease.\nThe Power of One to folks at Sutter\nis taking care of the patient as a collective group, all\nworking together and hoping, like with Bill,\nthat the end result is actually greater\nthan all those pieces put together.\nAnd with him, he's, I think, really\na great example of how multiple physicians all talk.\nAnd the care, I think, has been extremely well\ncoordinated-- understanding his situation, everything\nfrom his home life to transportation needs.\nHe's a very unique patient.\nHe requires really individualized care.\nAnd Sutter, I think--\nI give credit to all the physicians involved\nand all the caregivers involved.\nAnd whenever I talk to him or communicate with him,\nI know I'm going to walk away feeling better\nabout my life, his life, our goals as a health care system,\nthat we can do a lot of good.\nHis goal was to be at his daughter's wedding\nand to distill all of that down to just wanting\nto be there for someone else, really, just puts\nit in a whole different perspective,\nthat he's doing this for his family and to reach that day.\nBILL BAGNANI: What great people are at Sutter.\nThere's-- I mean, damn, when I look at the people,\nmy doctors are unbelievable.\nThey're great.\nThe nurses, unbelievable, great.\n\nI can't say enough highly about them.\nI'm very thankful.\nThey're keeping me alive, you know what I mean?\nBut [SNIFFLES] I'm sorry.\nIt's just very emotional.\n\nBecause sometimes I can't believe how lucky\nI've been in many ways.\n\nIt's like you say.\nI could have died right there in '91 and a number of times since.\nBut I've just--\nI didn't die, and my life's been really rewarding."} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967#article","name":"Video: From Tragedy to a Walk Down the Aisle","headline":"Video: From Tragedy to a Walk Down the Aisle","abstract":"Bill Bagnani's survival and quality of life are possible thanks to a dedicated team of specialists across Sutter Health.","description":"Bill Bagnani's survival and quality of life are possible thanks to a dedicated team of specialists across Sutter Health.","keywords":["Heart and vascular","Urology"],"datePublished":"2025-12-16","dateModified":"2026-01-21","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967#breadcrumblist"}},"author":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/v7powH2J5LmsUvlofwzHLWv9PqlEM6L1BbwtRnfpVbA/fit=crop,gravity=auto,width=1200,height=630"},"video":{"@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/video-from-tragedy-to-a-walk-down-the-aisle-2037734967#videoobject"},"articleBody":"In 1991, Bill Bagnani traded the hustle of Silicon Valley for the serenity of wine country, taking a job as an assistant winemaker at Jordan Vineyard and Winery in Healdsburg, Calif. Life felt promising until a tragic accident changed everything While working on an elevated catwalk, Bagnani slipped on water and fell 12 feet onto a concrete floor. The impact broke his neck and damaged his spinal cord, leaving him with quadriplegia, a symptom of paralysis that affects a person’s limbs and body from the neck down. Bagnani couldn’t then imagine what his future would hold. Dreams like walking a daughter down the aisle seemed impossible. Thirty-four years later, Bagnani, who is 70 and living in Geyserville, experienced a milestone that filled his heart with joy. Though he never had children of his own, Naomi Bagnani Abla, the daughter of his former caretaker, who has for years lovingly called him “Uncle Bill,” asked him to walk her down the aisle. For Bagnani, this was a dream come true. “I never thought I’d adopt a daughter,” Bagnani said. “When Naomi told me she wanted me to walk her down the aisle at her wedding, I was like, ‘Oh my God! That’s fantastic.’” Bagnani’s journey hasn’t been easy. In addition to quadriplegia, he lives with a tracheostomy and requires highly specialized, coordinated care. His survival and quality of life are possible thanks to a dedicated team of specialists across Sutter Health, including Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods, Palo Alto Medical Foundation and Sutter West Bay Medical Group. “As a patient with multiple complex conditions, Bill requires a large, synchronized team to keep him healthy,” explained Dr. Daniel Brenner, a SMRG cardiologist. “Bill’s case is a perfect example of Sutter’s ‘Power of One’ and how exceptional care happens when multiple physicians work together as a team.” The Power of One philosophy at Sutter means treating patients collectively, ensuring every specialist is interconnected and involved in all aspects of a patient’s care. For Bagnani, this collaboration has proven lifesaving. Bill Bagnani’s care team includes board-certified physicians from specialty groups across Sutter Health. “My doctors are unbelievable,” Bagnani said. “The nurses, the entire staff – they’re all great! They’re keeping me alive.” Reflecting on his journey, Bagnani feels grateful. Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been,” he said. “I could’ve died in 1991, and a number of times since. But I didn’t. And my life has been really rewarding.”","mentions":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/samantha-l-marbut-1046247457#Person","name":"Samantha L. Marbut, N.P."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-jonathan-a-peng-1046250709#Person","name":"Jonathan A. Peng, M.D., M.S., FACC"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-thomas-a-neal-1046243959#Person","name":"Thomas A. Neal, M.D."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-rajat-goyal-1089981661#Person","name":"Rajat Goyal, M.D."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-ying-cao-1046243916#Person","name":"Ying Cao, M.D."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-josephtony-f-rodriguez-1046247576#Person","name":"Joseph (Tony) F. Rodriguez, III, M.D."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-sophie-g-fletcher-1046243453#Person","name":"Sophie A. Fletcher, M.D."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-christian-spies-1046247057#Person","name":"Christian Spies, M.D."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider/dr-anu-agarwal-1046249343#Person","name":"Anu Agarwal, M.D., FACC"}]} ```