Toxic Shock Survivor Charlotte Vinson Leads Indiana in NCAA Tournament

MUNCIE, Ind. — Charlotte Vinson, a 16-year-old volleyball player, nearly lost her life to toxic shock syndrome, but she is now leading Indiana in the NCAA tournament.

In May 2024, Charlotte fell seriously ill, just days after her grandmother’s death. She was airlifted to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, where she was placed on life support due to her organs shutting down. Doctors diagnosed her with toxic shock syndrome caused by strep bacteria. Fortunately, Charlotte survived and began a long recovery.

“I was moving through lights,” Charlotte recalled, reflecting on her near-death experience while sitting in a film room before practice. “I was thinking I was going to die and accepting that fate.”

After five days in a medically induced coma and a procedure that involved a heart-and-lung machine, Charlotte woke up. Her family supported her throughout her intensive rehabilitation, and she was determined to return to volleyball.

Charlotte rejoined her high school volleyball team, earning a standing ovation when she returned to the court for a game against Wapahani in September 2024. Despite initial struggles, she regained her form, helping the Yorktown Tigers reach the state finals, the same year she had committed to Indiana.

Now, Charlotte is with the Indiana Hoosiers as they prepare for the NCAA tournament, where they will face Toledo in the first round. Teammates describe her as a fighter whose determination inspires those around her.

“I want to do what I love now,” Charlotte said, reflecting on how her health scare reshaped her perspective. She now plays with a renewed passion, knowing each moment on the court is a gift not to be taken for granted.

As she trains and competes, Charlotte carries the memory of her grandmother with her, who she believes played a role in her recovery. “She was there for me,” Charlotte says, touching a scar on her neck from the hospital stay. “I think she pushed me back down and it’s like, ‘OK, you’re going to keep living.’”