Charlie’s story I’ve been described as an old-soul, a ray of sunshine, a cheeky chap, and a disability rights champion. I’m not sure about all that though, I’m just me, and I’ve never known any different. I’m 16, and like many boys my age I’ve been a big gamer from an early age. I love animals, and I’m going on to study Animal Care at college next year, with a plan to get a degree that will set me on my way to training assistance animals. I’m really close to my mum, Mandy you could say we’ve been through a lot together, but whatever we’ve got ourselves into, we always find a way out!
Early years and diagnosis It’s hard for me to pin down my earliest memory of the ‘medical’ side of things. Mum has always been open with me about things and given me a choice in everything to do with my health and care. It’s just normal to me - it’s been with me all my life. I have spastic diplegia, which is a form of cerebral palsy. I don’t really live under that label though. It’s just one part of what makes me me. I was diagnosed at age 2 and a half because I wasn’t walking. When my mum and dad first took me to be seen, they met a consultant who told them to look at the Scope website and come back in 6 weeks. My mum had already started to suspect it may be cerebral palsy by that point. She wasn’t sure at that point how it would affect me. One health professional told her I wouldn’t walk or talk. I can walk now, although I’ve not long had an operation on one leg and I’m due for an operation on the other leg. It’s likely that as time goes on I’ll eventually have to use my wheelchair full-time. At home I have my own ways of getting about, as long as it works, I’m happy. As for talking – just ask anyone who’s ever met me and they’ll tell you I can chat till the cows come home just fine! 20
