Badminton star smashes virus

The family of a former Special Olympics medalist from Jedburgh has praised staff at the Borders General Hospital for helping him beat coronavirus.
Craig Sharrat makes his own NHS tribute while in hospital.Craig Sharrat makes his own NHS tribute while in hospital.
Craig Sharrat makes his own NHS tribute while in hospital.

Craig Sharratt, 41, who has Down’s Syndrome, was one of the first patients in the Borders to be put on a ventilator, which he was on for five weeks, spending a total of seven weeks in ICU.

During his time in the hospital, he also had an operation to remove his appendix.

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Craig’s brother Del said the family was deeply concerned about him throughout his battle with the virus, but he left ICU last Thursday after recovering.

Craig Sharratt, pictured in 2007, proudly displays the badminton medals he won at the Special Olympics in China.Craig Sharratt, pictured in 2007, proudly displays the badminton medals he won at the Special Olympics in China.
Craig Sharratt, pictured in 2007, proudly displays the badminton medals he won at the Special Olympics in China.

Del said: “There were days doctors told us he was only breathing because of the ventilator, and days we were thinking we would lose this special guy. But they stuck with him, and he has got guts.

“We are so happy that he’s pulled through ... although we are very aware that not every family has been so lucky.

“The staff were excellent with him.

“It’s a very difficult situation for the NHS workers because all of this is very new and not much is known about the virus, but I can’t thank them enough for what they have done for Craig.”

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This, of course, is not the first time Craig has been in the headlines. In 2007, he was part of a British Special Olympic squad to fly to China for that year’s games.

In Shanghai, he won a silver medal in badminton, along with Rachel Thomas of Owestry in the mixed doubles, just losing out to the Chinese pair in the final. And, along with Graeme Lang from Kelso, he took the bronze medal in the gents’ doubles as well. He’s also won many medals in the swimming pool, and has been known to grab the odd win at the Border Games sprints.

But this has been his toughest challenge, but one which he bore with a smile on his face.

Now out of ICU, Craig is now in a side room in the hopital, and keeping in touch with family and friends by online video calls.

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Del said: “He really needs to eat well now and bulk himself up a bit as he’s lost a bit of weight. Once he is ready to leave hospital, he’ll spend some time at mum and dad’s house before moving back into his own flat.

“When Craig was born, Gloria Gaynor was at number one with ‘I Will Survive’ ... which has proved pretty prophetic.”

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