It’s hard to dispute the claim from rising para-athlete Charli Gardiner-Hall that her superpower is resilience.
The teenager born with Sturge-Weber syndrome type 3 lives with a neurological condition where she faces the prospect of seizures occurring on average at least twice a month.
After nearly dying following a seizure while swimming at Oakura Beach in late 2024, Charli hoped surgery to implant a vagus nerve stimulation device would bring them under control.
To implant the device, incisions were made in the 18-year-old athlete’s chest and neck, and wires threaded throughout her body.
However, when the wounds failed to heal, the devastating decision was made to remove the implant.
More trauma followed. Even after the device was removed, the wounds still didn’t heal and it was discovered that a piece of plastic tubing had been left inside Charli’s body, requiring another medical procedure.
“So much of my happiness is connected to para-athletics,” explains Charli, who was introduced to the sport as a youngster at Waiuku Athletics Club, where she watched her big brother Quinn compete.
“When I could no longer do what I loved, that was hard. The biggest low was realising the surgeries had all been for nothing.”
A devastating setback
Initially, the signs were promising. The device – designed to send small electrical impulses to help regulate seizures – appeared to work, but the incisions repeatedly split open.
“The only option was to remove the device after it became seriously infected, so Charli underwent a much longer second surgery,” explains her mum Kylie Hall.
“The wounds then needed to heal before she could return to training, but the problems persisted and the piece of plastic tubing was discovered.”
Charli continues, “It was such a huge decision to go ahead with the operation in the first place. Then to be told it had all gone wrong felt like hope was being ripped away from me.
“To find out something had been left inside me really sucked. I had lost so much training time and conditioning, and it was all for nothing.”
Despite everything, Charli – who struggles with balance and coordination issues – says her connection to para-athletics remained a powerful source of motivation. Late last year, she finally returned to training.
“There were worries about whether I could get back to my pre-surgery distances,” explains Charli, who trains six times a week.
“My body also takes longer than normal to lock down skills because of my neurological condition, so that’s always challenging.”
The comeback begins
But thanks to her perseverance and the support of her coach John Eden, she’s gradually returned to form. In March, she won gold in the senior women’s para-discus at the New Zealand Track & Field Championships.
The following month, at the Australian Track & Field Championships in Sydney, she set a national shot-put record in her classification. Then in May, at the Oceania Championships in Darwin, she nailed the biggest international competition of her career.
Twice throwing beyond 28m, she broke the under-20 national record in the para- discus, and finished her season number one on the world para rankings for both the U20 discus and shot put. It was a massive breakthrough for the Southern Institute of Technology communications student.
“Sitting in that hospital bed and finally getting that leftover tubing out of me, I never thought any of this would be possible,” admits Charli.
“My multiple surgeries and infections really impacted my strength and conditioning. I lost months of important training time. But I was so determined to get back throwing in the circle.”
Looking to the future
Although the unsuccessful surgery means Charli still has to live with the everyday fear of seizures, Kylie says her daughter’s commitment to her sport is what helps Charli through the darkest of times. Her dedication to para-athletics gives her something to focus on and keeps her moving forward.
Her mum tells, “Para-athletics has enabled her to excel and achieve. Without it, there would be a massive hole in Charli’s life. During those surgeries and medical stays, para-athletics was definitely her North Star.”
For Charli now, no challenge seems insurmountable, with her sights set on some big future goals.
“I’d love to represent New Zealand at the World Para Athletics Championships and at a future Paralympic Games,” she grins.
“I want to make myself and everyone in my team who supports me proud.”
Kylie adds, “I’m constantly in awe of Charli and how well she manages so many challenges. Life is very tough for her, but her resilience is an inspiration to all.”
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