Carters healing journey

My name is Sarah I am fundraising on behalf of Nicole and Carter Alves, who are currently facing the emotional , physical and financial struggle of thier lives .

What was supposed to be a regular Friday evening turned out to be the most devastating night of Nicole's life . Nicole is a single hard working mother of 3 children: Jax 13, Leah 11 and Carter 10. On Feb 3, 2023 Nicoles children Leah and Carter were in Leah's room watching her iPad. The iPad was plugged into a charger that was plugged into an extension cord. Without any warning, the charger began to spark and it quickly caught on fire. Leah started screaming; she was terrified. Her brother Carter jumped in to protect her, as he always does, and he bravely tried to smother the fire. He was wearing a metal necklace, and when he leaned in to try to control the fire, the necklace came into contact with an exposed plug prong, his body set on fire , he was electrocuted and the metal necklace melted and fused to his throat and neck. Panicking, Carter tried to pull off the burning necklace, and he ended up passing out from the pain. Hysterically, Leah called for her brother Jax, who ran into her room and shook and slapped Carter in an effort to wake him, which resulted in burns to Jax’s hand.

A neighbour called 911. Both Carter and Jax were taken in separate ambulances to McMaster Hospital where a team of doctors was already waiting for them. They immediately cut off Carter’s clothes. Nicole can’t even begin to describe the shock of seeing the horrific burns and open wounds on the neck and throat of her son Carter. Luckily, Jax had only suffered minor burns. However, within 45 minutes, the doctors hastily decided to induce a coma and intubate Carter, because the external injuries on his neck might cause his airways to collapse. The doctors told Nicole that Carter had third degree burns and because the necklace had come into contact with the exposed plug prongs, he had also been electrocuted. The doctors explained that they weren’t equipped to deal with burn victims of this magnitude, and we had to be immediately transferred to Sick Kids Toronto.

Another team of doctors was waiting for them at Sick Kids and they made sure Carter was comfortable. At 8:00 a.m. the next day, Carter had his first surgery to remove horribly charred skin, clean up some of his burns, and reduce the painful swelling on his neck. He will need at least 2-3 more surgeries and skin grafting to fix the damages caused by the accident, and unfortunately he will have nerve damage in those areas for the rest of his life. Today, Carter had his first skin graft and he lost a lot of blood. Pain management has been extremely difficult because Carter’s 02 levels are so low. Doctors do not have a recovery time. They said it was a miracle that Carter pulled through at all.

Nicole is heart broken for Carter. She is devastated and there are no words to describe the feelings or emotions she has endured since this tragic accident took place. For optimal healing her son needs his mother beside him every minute in order to begin to heal, both physically and mentally. Nicole sits with her boy every day and night in the CCU and wonder if he will ever recover from the trauma to his body and to his mind. His journey of healing will be a long, difficult road.

Nicoel is very proud, private and independent she never thought she would be in this situation to not be able to work and provide for her family. Financially it is already difficult enough as a single mom in these trying times. She can’t return to work because Carter needs her at the hospital by his side to hold him and help him. Nicole is considering stress leave at this time and her medical benefits will no longer cover her family. Without any income, Nicole's children and her need help with gas, rent, kids’ clothes, utilities, drugs, school supplies, therapy for Carter, health care. We appreciate any and all the help we can get so Carter can get back to the best quality of life he can. Please lets help this family out .

#prayforcarter

#thehealingjourney