Sean Highdale's story: From Liverpool's Academy to the Rio Paralympics
Sean Highdale seemed to have the world at his feet.
A boyhood Red, he joined Liverpool’s Academy at the age of nine and successfully progressed through the year groups to become captain of the club’s U18s.
The all-action midfielder, who also represented England at youth level, appeared to be on course to fulfil his lifelong dream of playing for the first team - until tragedy struck in April 2008.
Highdale almost lost his life in a car accident in which two other passengers passed away. After 18 months of rehabilitation, he miraculously returned to the pitch in December 2009.
The lasting effects of the accident meant he was forced to retire a couple of years later - but Highdale still lived ‘one of the best experiences of my life’ at this year’s Paralympic Games.
The 25-year-old, who was left with a mild condition of cerebral palsy after the accident, represented Great Britain in the CP Football tournament in Rio, and scored in a 5-1 win over Ireland.
“Seeing some of the competitors every day and seeing how they adapt to life is inspirational and definitely put my life into perspective,” he reveals in the final episode of LFCTV series ‘Added Time’.
“Sometimes you moan about silly little things, but you see how they’re getting on with their life and it makes you open your eyes a little bit.
“To score for Great Britain, on such a big stage, with all my family watching, was an unreal feeling - something I’ve never felt before.”
LFCTV GO subscribers can watch the latest epsiode of Added Time on demand by playing the video above.
