Sonya’s Story
As I write this, Sonya Charles is recovering from her 57th surgery. Despite a lifetime filled with medical challenges, she embodies resilience, determination, and an infectious sense of humour. Now 49 years old, Sonya recently competed in the Asia Pacific Sailing Championships through her involvement with Sailability Mooloolaba. Her life is a testament to perseverance and the refusal to let adversity define her.
Sonya was born in Nambour and grew up in Mooloolaba before moving to Cairns in 1985. She returned to Maroochydore in 2001. Her health challenges began early, with a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of four, which required 800 milligrams of aspirin daily to manage pain and inflammation. At five, she was also diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints and spine. Doctors warned her family that she likely wouldn’t live past 21.
“Well, here I am at 49,” Sonya says with a smile. “Proving them wrong every single day.”
Sonya credits her resilience to her father’s words: “There’s no such word as ‘can’t,’ and the impossible just takes longer.” This mantra became a guiding principle in her life, shaping her ability to adapt and persevere no matter what challenges came her way.
At 11, a rheumatologist encouraged her family to educate Sonya about her conditions rather than treating her solely as a patient. This marked the beginning of her journey to understand her own body. She learned how to manage pain, control muscles, and care for wounds. By 16, she was even removing her own stitches when possible. Despite surgeries that left her with fused wrists and limited mobility in her fingers, Sonya found ways to continue doing the things she loved, from fishing to using power tools.
“If I can’t do it the way I used to, I figure out a different way,” she says.
Life hasn’t been without additional challenges. At 14, Sonya suffered a traumatic BMX accident that left her unconscious for 45 minutes. Years later, she began experiencing seizures, which were initially dismissed as attention-seeking behaviour before she was diagnosed with epilepsy at 19. The seizures were linked to the brain injury from the accident, adding another layer of complexity to her medical journey. Despite living with chronic pain and the unpredictability of epilepsy, Sonya continues to approach life with strength and humour.
Her adventurous spirit has led to incredible stories. During a kayaking trip at Pincushion, she found herself battling a fierce storm. Disoriented and injured with a dislocated shoulder and concussion, she was rescued by a man on a hydrofoil surfboard named Dean. Reflecting on the experience, Sonya says with a grin, “I’m grateful, but I can’t help thinking, ‘Of course, I’d nearly drown in a storm on a kayak.”
One of Sonya’s most gruelling experiences involved a battle with endometriosis and a uterine tumour. Initially suspected to be a burst appendix, the diagnosis led to an eight-hour surgery during which she lost two liters of blood and briefly died on the operating table. The procedure involved removing a tumor, her ovaries, uterus, and extensive endometriosis from critical areas. The experience, coupled with the loss of her sister to diabetes-related complications, deepened her perspective on life and resilience.
Sonya’s passion for sailing brought her to the Asia Pacific Sailing Championships. Training with Sailability Mooloolaba, she prepared tirelessly, traveling to the Gold Coast to train in open water—a new challenge after years of sailing in Mooloolaba Harbour and Double Bay. She hired a Hansa Class 303 sailboat from Sailability Gold Coast to compete and pushed herself to the limit. Unfortunately, an injury during the competition forced her to withdraw mid-race. Despite the setback, her journey to compete was a remarkable achievement, showcasing her determination to rise above any obstacle.
“I can’t let myself stop,” she says, echoing her father’s words. “There’s no such word as ‘can’t.”
Sonya dreams of sharing her extraordinary life experiences through a YouTube channel, hoping to inspire others facing their own challenges. From her medical journey to her adventures, Sonya’s stories are captivating, full of humour, and deeply motivational. If you have the skills or time to help her, bring this dream to life, she would love to hear from you. You can contact Sonya at kynerra75@gmail.com.
Sonya Charles is proof that resilience, courage, and a sense of humour can conquer even the toughest battles. Her story reminds us all to keep moving forward, no matter what life throws our way.
