Quadriplegic Mark Charlesworth achieved a fabulous feat on Sunday – walking 550 steps up the arch at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The event was in aid of QuadPara, Vema, Highway Hospice and the Players Fund with a goal of raising R550 000.
Mark, who once raced sports cars and lost the use of his arms and legs in a horrific accident in 2004, didn’t believe that he wouldn’t walk again. “I’m lucky to be incredibly stubborn and have never thought of myself as ‘paralysed’. People all over the world have recovered, so how do you know you won’t be one of them, unless you try?”
In the initial days after the accident, the most basic thing seemed almost impossible. “For me, it was simple – I just had to get on with my life.” Mark checked himself out of rehab after six weeks to focus on an intense recovery programme.
Slowly but surely, he gained movement – each milestone a wonder to the doctors who had seen him after the accident. “I was lucky to be very fit at the time, I was able to go to a good hospital and I had the support of my friends and family.”
Mark continued a busy schedule of physiotherapy and has tried a wide range of therapies, from reiki to acupuncture. He trains regularly at Virgin Active Kingspark and Club Zero at Clifton School and watched as Moses Mabhida Stadium took shape.
On Monday morning, Mark tweeted: “The sign says it all, those who believed & supported me, much respect. For those that doubted guess you were wrong.”
There’s still an opportunity to contribute to this fabulous cause. Visit www.550steps.co.za to find out more and make your pledge.