‘I had to learn to walk again after breaking my spine – now I’m chasing my cheerleading dream'
She has set her sights on an international competition
A Wakefield nurse who spent almost a year unable to walk after suffering a devastating spinal injury is now chasing her dream of competing at the world cheerleading championships.
Brooke Bowen fractured her spine in April 2025 after landing headfirst in a foam pit during an adult gymnastics class.
She initially went to A&E but said she was told her injury was not “traumatic” and was sent home. Brooke later paid for a private scan, which she says revealed the extent of the damage.
The injury left her unable to walk and reliant on a wheelchair as she spent eight months in hospital and rehabilitation.
At the time, Brooke had only recently qualified as a children’s nurse.
She said: “Suddenly, I went from being completely independent to being unable to walk and facing months of hospital treatment and rehabilitation.”
Now, despite continuing to struggle with longer distances and standing for extended periods, Brooke has returned to the sport she loves – and is setting her sights on an international competition.
She said: “Through all of this, getting back to cheer has given me something to work towards.
“I’ve had to adapt. Things aren’t always as easy as they once were, and sometimes I have to accept that I need my wheelchair or additional support. But I’ve been able to return to the sport I love.”
Brooke’s comeback has earned her a place on a team heading to the Allstar World Championships in Florida in April 2027.
The opportunity is a far cry from where she found herself during months of hospital treatment, when walking again was a major challenge.
She is now hoping to raise £1,000 to help cover the costs of competing, including flights and accommodation.
Her fundraising campaign, titled “From learning to walk again to stepping on the world's mat”, has so far raised £30 towards the target.
Brooke is urging people to support her bid to make it to Florida, saying even small donations or sharing her fundraising page could make a difference.
She said: “Every donation, no matter how small, gets me a little closer. And if you’re unable to donate, simply sharing my page would mean just as much.”
Reflecting on the journey from her spinal injury to earning a place at the championships, Brooke said: “Sometimes it’s learning to stand.
“Sometimes it’s taking your first steps again.
“And sometimes it’s those steps eventually taking you all the way to a Worlds mat in Florida.”
To support Brooke’s fundraising campaign, visit her fundraising page here.