Haley Guider has been overwhelmed with the exceptional care her 11-year-old son has received during his unexpected five-week stay at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Guider suspected her son, Carter Williamson, was suffering from a pulled muscle, but later learned he was critically ill. An unknown cut on his lower left leg developed a bacterial staph infection that was causing septic shock.
“There was nothing that was alarming or that raised any red flags,” recalled Guider prior to the emergency department visit. “But when he couldn’t walk on that leg, I wanted him to be checked out. Once we were at the hospital, they took his temperature, and it was 103!”
While in the ED, Carter’s breathing became labored, and he required oxygen. A multitude of tests were ordered, and Carter was admitted into the pediatric intensive care unit.
“He went from one day complaining that his leg was sore to being in intensive care. We didn’t realize how sick he was,” said his mother, who learned that her son’s illness was life-threatening.
Thankfully, Carter began to show signs of improvement days after treatment began.
While hospitalized, Carter and his mom met Monroe Carell school teacher Tisha Coggin Clay, who learned that Carter was scheduled to graduate on May 22 — a day he would likely miss.
The wheels started turning.
“We wanted to honor the milestone,” said Coggin Clay. “We batted around several options to make sure he was honored that included having his friends walk for him at the graduation.
“But he was really in favor of having his own thing. He really wanted to do something here. So, we went to work.”
Fortunately, Coggin Clay had a supportive network in the team at Purpose Preparatory Academy Charter School in Nashville, a kindergarten through fifth grade college preparatory school where Carter had been enrolled since the second grade.
“As it was getting closer to graduation, we knew Carter wasn’t going to be out in time,” said Delvis Hargrove, the office manager at Purpose Prep. “We wanted to bring the joy of the situation to him.”
On Tuesday, May 27, a group of school staff, friends, family and hospital team members joined together at the Monroe Carell Performance Stage area, better known as the Butterfly Garden, to recreate the graduation Carter missed.
“I thought it was cool that they put this together for me since I did not get to graduate with my friends,” said Carter. “I really wanted to be at graduation, but it was nice to see all my family and all my teachers here to support and congratulate me.”
To prepare for his graduation ceremony, Carter had his own goal. He wanted to walk across the stage to accept his diploma.
“It was really important to him that he be able to walk to get his diploma,” said Coggin Clay. “He asked if it would be possible for him to walk and the physical therapists said yes, so they got to work.”
But even a week prior to his hospital graduation, Carter had not been able to use his left leg to stand or walk.
Flanked by two hospital team members, Carter, decked out in his cap and gown, used a walker to cross the performance stage to accept his diploma. Those in attendance and a few onlookers exploded in applause and congratulatory sentiments.
The impromptu milestone was the icing on the cake for Carter’s mom.
“While no one wants to be in a hospital, his stay here has been exceptional,” said Guider, praising the hospital. “If I could rate it, it would definitely be a 10 out of 10. They have made me feel comfortable, helped me understand everything that was going on, and more importantly, they made Carter feel comfortable. They have all been superstars.”
Carter, who will be attending Rose Park Middle School for sixth grade, hopes to be released home this week.