Defying Expectations
A life without limits
How Carl proved a childhood report wrong
Carl's journey
As a 6-year-old child, Carl's future was all but written off by an educational report which sought to limit his ambition and predicted that his life would be severely constrained by his deafness. The verdict that Carl's "home, social and work life will be significantly impaired" has been repeatedly defied by his hugely successful career, strong social network and loving family.
Carl's journey is unique to him, but it's also a story about all of us. Every single person reading this will have been told by someone that they're not smart enough, or strong enough, or attractive enough, or insufficient in some way. Carl's achievements show what's possible when we shake off the limitations placed on ourselves by others, and become our own champion.
Milestones
- Born on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent
- Diagnosed as profoundly deaf
- The damning 1983 Report
- Begins playing pool competitively
- Passes exams to UK's only grammar school for the deaf
- Appears in BBC drama, Love Hurts, watched by 12 million viewers
- Quits college, chooses pool
- Receives 'Houdini' moniker
- Turns professional
- Wins first professional pool title
- Competes as England International
- Becomes youngest-ever World 8-Ball Pool Champion aged 21
- Achieves world No. 1 ranking
- Survives lightning strike
- Makes history as first deaf person to trek the last degree to the North Pole
- Marries Corinne, birth of Olivia & James and death of parents, Rose & Jim
- Completes 43 Exhibitions in 43 Counties in 43 Days for charity
- Retires from professional pool
- Climbs to Everest Base Camp
- Returns to professional pool, reaches world #6 ranking within 12 months
- Reaches lifelong goal of £1 million raised for charity
- Debuts as author, publishing his memoir, SOAR
- Becomes Trustee Governor at SEND school
