Carson Booker's Story

by Tera Booker
Reed City, Mich.

Four-year-old Carson Booker has spent much of his short life battling a multitude of life-threatening illnesses, the most recent of which is hydrocephalus. Carson 's mother, Tera, had to stop working to accommodate trips to doctors, therapy and the care Carson requires.

"I feel like I have had an infant for four years now. He still uses a bottle, pacifier and diapers,” she said.

Scientists have said embryonic stem cell research may offer hope for children with Carson 's condition and the Booker family, who reside in northern Michigan.

“We want to give Carson a chance to learn more and be a normal person in society,” Tera Booker says. “We want him to be able to play sports, live on his own and get married one day."

The Bookers' ordeal began shortly after Carson 's birth June 16, 2003 with what they initially thought were symptoms of a virus.

“But a day or two after Carson got sick he stopped breathing, so we took him to the emergency room,” Tera remembers.

Doctors in Grand Rapids diagnosed Carson with bacterial meningitis. A day later, he had a stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body. Instead of attending preschool with other 4-years-olds, Carson spends his days at the Hope Network in Big Rapids ( www.hopenetwork.org ) for physical, speech and occupational therapy.

Hydrocephalus is a condition where abnormal amounts of cerebrospinal fluid accumulate in the ventricles inside the brain. This causes the ventricles to become enlarged and creates pressure inside Carson 's head. Part of the treatment is a shunt insertion, which drains the cerebrospinal fluid from the brain.

At one point, Carson was having 10 to 30 seizures a day. The Bookers have had to rush their son to the hospital in the middle of the night and constantly schedule doctor visits for routine tests. He takes four different medications at least three times each day.

Tera and her husband Stan wish Carson had the opportunity to live life just like his two older brothers. The eldest brother, Mike, 16, plays soccer at Reed City High School. Mark, 14, is the middle brother who plays football on his 8 th grade team at Reed City Middle School. Tera said she would like Carson to be in school but his behavioral and mental capabilities are that of a 12- to 18-month-old.

Regardless, the Bookers always include their son in their family activities. They love to pack up their fifth-wheel and go camping, fishing or hunting together. Usually Tera and her husband take Carson on long walks through the neighborhood and to the swings. Carson got his nickname “Tigger” after the Winnie the Pooh character because he loves to jump. Tera bought him a trampoline in the backyard so he can jump as he pleases. Still, everyone in the family wishes Carson could have a normal life.

Tera continues to concentrate on what means most to her in life, her family. She is focused on living life to the fullest every day especially for Carson 's sake.