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NEVER, NEVER SHAKE A BABY
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Seth Douglas Carmichael
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SETH'S STORY
Almost three years ago our lives were changed forever by violence. Three years since a tiny ten-week-old baby's life was almost ended by his parent. Three years since a healthy brain was damaged forever.
On Wednesday, October 6, 1999, I was working, enjoying the noise and laughter of a day care full of two and three year olds. I was told that I needed to answer a long distance call from Clay County. Terror struck my heart. Clay County was where my daughter and grandchildren lived and thoughts of an accident and that they had been hurt raced through my mind. Never did I expect the detective to tell me that I needed to come as quickly as possible to Wolfson's Children's Hospital because my grandson was in critical condition and not expected to live. My grandson had been shaken to cardiac arrest.
I hardly remember the drive over to Jacksonville. My thoughts were filled with prayer for my grandson and concern for my granddaughter, where was she, had she been harmed and who was taking care of her, was she safe.
After what seemed like an eternity, I arrived at the hospital. I was met by the detective and informed that Seth had been placed temporarily in my custody. No one was allowed in his room unless I was there. No other family members could be alone with him.
Nothing could prepare me for what I saw upon entering his room. He lay very still, his eyes fixed and glazed, not crying or responding to pain or comfort.
Seth had ten broken ribs, bleeding in his brain, paralysis of his right side, a leg fracture and his tiny skull was fractured. The doctor stated that Seth had to have been jerked up by his leg in order to have the type of fracture he had and that after being shaken, his head had to have impacted a hard surface which caused the skull fracture. His eyes were fixed to the right indicating brain damage and he was having seizures.
For six days and nights I waited and watched for a smile from Seth.
He had been born healthy with a bright future but now he lay very still and afraid of any touch.
I was given permission to hold him. I held him close and cried and this was the beginning of our bond. I promised him that no one would ever hurt him again, that no matter what it took, I would take him home and we would, by God's grace, prove the doctor's wrong in their prognosis.
Keeping that promise has not been easy. Caring for a victim of SBS is not easy but what a blessing Seth has been to our family. We have been blessed with the greatest Pediatrician, Dr. Teresa Mahaffey, a pediatrician who genuinely loves Seth and has been strength and encouragement to me. Seth has had a wonderful ESE teacher, Kim Campbell, who has lovingly taught and molded our little boy. His therapists, Louie, Julie, and MeMe have poured themselves into helping Seth develop his speech, strengthen his weak muscles and learn to feed and dress himself. And our special angel, Cindy Hockett, his Guardian Ad Litem. The endless hours she has spent representing Seth in court, working beyond her job, putting him in her heart and making sure that what is best for Seth is done. How do you thank such dedicated people?
To all who read this, please, PLEASE, don't let this happen to your child. Don't sentence him to a life of disabilities, don't take his future from him. If the frustration and the crying get to you, please put him in the crib, call someone, walk into another room, turn on the radio or t.v., take a shower. He will not cry himself to death but your frustration may cause you to Shake Him to Death. | ||||||||||||||||||||