The day that
changed everything

In March 2012, Charlie Fogarty suffered a severe brain injury after being hit by an overtaking car whilst crossing the road. Following the accident Charlie was rushed to Birmingham Children’s hospital, placed in an induced coma and spent 11 uncertain days in intensive care. He then was transferred on to a Neuro ward where he spent the next four months in the early stages of recovery. Charlie completed a six-month rehabilitation programme in Surrey Children’s trust where he learned to eat, walk and talk again. He finally returned home in February 2013, from there, he began his inspiring journey to recovery.

The journey
to recovery

Shortly before the accident Charlie had finished a four-year contract at Birmingham City FC’s Academy and was trialling for Milton Keynes Dons. Tests taken after the accident at the rehabilitation centre showed that Charlie’s educational memory in Maths and English had dropped to level one and two – the equivalent to a year one child at the age of seven. Charlie went back to his previous school in Solihull with one-to-one support and is now enrolled in the Higher National Diploma in Sports Science programme.

Looking to
the future

Charlie started playing football for the West Midlands Centre of Excellence Cerebral Palsy team in July 2013 and was selected for the Northern Ireland CP team in January 2015. Charlie has since travelled to Denmark to play in the Intercontinental CP Championships and has also played in St George’s Park in the CP World Cup. He plays regularly for Solihull Moors FC Community team. Click here to find out more about Charlie’s Speaking engagements.

Inspirational speaking

Charlie’s determination in his battle back to fitness and to inspire others earned him the Highly Commended runner-up in the Child of Courage category at the Pride of Birmingham awards 2014. Hilary Wetherell said: “Charlie’s journey to recovery has been remarkable. He has demonstrated huge courage and determination and has been supported brilliantly by his family. At the beginning, his prognosis was very uncertain; it was not clear whether he would be able to walk or speak let alone get back to playing football.”