Charlotte Fairlie had only spent a few moments with her newborn twin sons before suffering a stroke so severe that she forgot she was pregnant.
After giving birth to healthy twin boys at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, the 34-year-old first-time mother was left with significant brain damage and was largely paralyzed down one side.
She had no recollection of her wedding and had no recollection of becoming pregnant with Fox and Teddy as a result of the damage.
Rob, her husband who is caring for her at their Monmouth home, said he will do all it takes to help her become the mother she has always wanted to be.
“It kills my heart to see her like way,” says the author.
“Charlotte requires round-the-clock care, and we don’t know how much better she’ll get, but she’s desperate to be a mother, and I want to assist her in that endeavor.”
Charlotte, 40, enjoyed only a few seconds with her longed-for newborns before she suffered a stroke induced by the pregnancy condition pre-eclampsia.
“She began to slur her speech and was unable to move her left side.
“It went from cesarean to crash team,” says the author.
After two further brain bleeds, the young woman, who had been monitored for high blood pressure prior to the birth, was transported to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where physicians had to remove a portion of her skull to save her life.
Rob, a self-employed cameraman, is encouraged by his wife’s development ten months later and after lengthy rehabilitation in Cardiff’s Rookwood Hospital.
Charlotte, 34, who was unable to speak or walk at first, can now walk a few steps, pour a cup of tea, and pronounce a few phrases.
She has been at home for four weeks, and the pair is receiving assistance from their relatives.
Angela Harries, Charlotte’s sister, cares about the boys while Rob looks after Charlotte.
Rob stated, ” “The boys are attractive and charming.
“It’s exhausting if they each get up once or twice during the night, and Charlotte gets up as well.
“She’s overjoyed to be back at home.
“Everything begins right now.
“We’re not out of the woods yet, and we have no idea what will happen,” she says, “but all I want is for us to be a regular family.”
When Rob first saw nursery teacher Charlotte at a London club 10 years ago, he said it was “love at first sight.”
“I’d never approached a girl in a pub before, but I felt obliged to say hi,” he explained.
They bought a property last year after a beautiful white wedding and were ecstatic to learn they were expecting twins.
Rob expressed his gratitude for his friends’ support and fundraising efforts, which have earned approximately £7,000 of a target £40,000 to assist pay for rehabilitation, an all-terrain electric wheelchair, and a robotic arm that would allow Charlotte to cradle her babies.
Charlotte’s sister Angela said she had no recollection of being pregnant or giving birth on December 14 last year, but that she was gradually regaining memory.
“When she awoke, she couldn’t communicate and had no idea she was pregnant,” Angela explained.
“She had no idea she was pregnant when we gave her the twins.
“We were repeating ‘Charlotte, these are our babies’ since she couldn’t speak.
“We don’t know what’s going on since she understands what we’re saying but can’t get the words out.
“She couldn’t move or stay awake for more than a few minutes at first, but she enjoys watching the guys.
“Although she is unable to lift up the boys, we can place them in her arms.
“Because we’re a big, close family, we’ve all pitched in.”
Jessica Haagen, a childhood friend who attended Monmouth Comprehensive with Charlotte and is organizing donations, said: “It’s just so depressing.
“Rob is persevering, and all I want to do is assist them.
“She recalls Rob, but she has no recollection of her wedding.
“In the hospital, we showed her her wedding video.
“From where she was a few months ago, she’s come a long way.”
Andrew Derricott, a friend, will run the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday for Charlotte, and an auction will be held on November 21 at The Gatehouse in Monmouth.
Bristol Zoo and Celtic Manor, among others, have donated prizes, but the organizers are still seeking more.
