INLSA
MARK Charlesworth, who was left paralysed after a car accident seven years ago, against the odds, now prepares for his next challenge, climbing the over 550 steps on the arch at theMoses Mabhida stadium.Picture: Colleen Dardagan
Mark Charlesworth doesn’t stop talking, but he’s worth listening to.
He survived a horrendous car crash, was told he wouldn’t walk again, but didn’t listen. Against the odds, he is now busy with an intensive training schedule before climbing the 550 steps on the arch of Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium for charity on May 13.
“I’m doing this because people said I couldn’t. I love a challenge and I want to raise money for, among others, the volunteer paramedics who saved my life on September 11, 2004. That’s a day I will never forget.”
Charlesworth, who raced Porsches as a hobby, was driving his BMW M3 on Acutts Drive outside Hillcrest at noon. It is believed the car hit a wet spot and spun twice before rolling “nose over tail” and coming to rest on its roof.
Charlesworth’s neck was broken in two places and he was paralysed from his chest down, although he had movement in his arms.
“According to the radiologist, my spinal cord looked as though it had been put through a blender,” he said, pointing out that he was neither drunk nor “monkeying around” at the time of the accident.
Today, the import/export broker, who cannot stand unaided and gets around using a walker, has managed to climb more than 700 steps in two and a half hours while training.
“I have set myself five hours to walk up the stadium arch, but if I manage it in a shorter time I will walk up twice. I love an extreme challenge,” said Charlesworth, who now drives a modified car.
Shannon Charles, a volunteer paramedic who was the first on the accident scene, said Charlesworth’s recovery was nothing short of a miracle, considering the extent of his injuries. “I have never met someone with such a strong mind,” he said.
Charles, who belongs to The Volunteer Emergency Medical Assistants, said running costs were a big problem.
“I’ve been doing this for 13 years. Of course the busier we are, the higher the costs. The fact that Charlesworth has chosen to do this for us is humbling.”
Angela Dragt, a biokineticist who has worked with Charlesworth since his accident and is helping him to train for his stadium climb, said his attitude made the difference.
“I have never seen him down. He counts himself lucky and always says there is someone worse off than he is. His attitude is incredibly positive.”
For further information on Charlesworth’s climb, e-mail mark@internationaltrade .co.za or follow his progress on twitter, @OnestepbeyondSA.
