BBC Radio Oxford Swimmer Defies Prognosis of Never Walking

Upon his diagnosis with cerebral palsy in infancy, the parents of an individual participating in BBC Radio Oxford’s swimming challenge received a prognosis that he would never be able to walk. Jordan Brooks, who lives with right side hemiplegia impacting the range of motion in his right hand and foot, is an athlete who expressed enthusiasm for joining the Children in Need swimming event. “I’m stubborn like that,” he says. “When someone says I can’t do something I’m like: ‘Watch this space.'” Teams representing BBC radio stations across the UK are engaged in The Thousand Mile Challenge, with each team aiming to complete a distance of 24 miles (38.6km). The local team also comprises presenter Sophie Law, newsreader Dan Freeman, journalist Sophie Rumsby, and apprentice Jem Westgate. Having commenced the challenge on Monday, each member of the team is required to swim 63 lengths daily throughout this week to fulfill their objective. Jordan, who works as a journalist at the radio station, joined a swimming group for disabled individuals during his youth, where he soon excelled at the backstroke and earned the 1,000m badge. “I’m always the type of person who will try it, and if I can’t do it I’ll ask for help,” he says. His mother, Diane, recalls that during his childhood, Jordan was required to wear leg and hand splints at night, “which wasn’t nice for a little boy”. She adds: “He is very determined in what he wants, even to the point sometimes where you feel like you’re tearing your hair out trying to make him think sensibly, but in the end he does it anyway.” He desired to participate in all activities that his peers did, even serving as a mascot for the school football team when he was unable to play, until he eventually could. “But with swimming we got him to join the group and that was lovely, the people there were really lovely with him.” “Basically it affects my grip and strength,” Jordan explains. “I’m really lucky. Cerebral palsy can be quite debilitating for people, and people need care and attention round the clock, so I’m very fortunate with that.” He states: “The doctors told my mum and dad that I’d never walk, I’d be in a wheelchair… which is the severity of cerebral palsy that some people can have.” He says: “Today was tough, my left knee hurt getting into the pool when kicking, but I powered through.” “I kept my head down, apart from breathing – which is important – and as Dory says in Finding Nemo, just keep swimming.” He concludes: “The finish line is in sight, just the small number of 126 more lengths. We can do this.” With only two days remaining in the challenge, Diane expresses that she is “not worried” about her son. “He’s chosen to do it so he’ll do it,” she says. “Jordan doesn’t really look at failure. It’s not an option.” Further information is available at bbc.co.uk/swim. BBC Oxfordshire can be followed on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details regarding their approach to external linking are available.