CARLTON “BUSTER” CARTER II GO-FUND-ME

Carlton’s Challenge

Hello, my name is John Carter, and I am writing on behalf of a wonderful friend and co-worker who is battling Gullain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disease subsequent to a respiratory virus.

My friend’s name is Carlton “Buster” Carter II, and although we share the same last name we are not related. But I nonetheless consider him a brother.

He and his wife Holly have one son, CJ, and are the doting parents of three dogs, Chief, Charli and Captain. Holly will take a leave from teaching to take on the role of his caregiver until he is stronger and back able to care for himself.

Diagnosis

During Thanksgiving week Buster was hospitalized after suddenly experiencing tremendous difficulty moving his arms and legs. He was diagnosed with Gullain-Barre Syndrome and is currently battling paralysis in his hands, arms and legs, and will require around-the-clock care for weeks and possibly months to come.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness that can affect most of your body. It happens when your immune system responds abnormally and attacks your peripheral nerves. Healthcare providers diagnose GBS in about 1 in 78,000 people each year.

Most people make a full recovery from GBS with treatment and rehabilitation. In Buster’s case, he can move with the support of staff, but his road to recovery is long.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15838-guillain-barre-syndrome

Management and Treatment

Carlton has received medical care in Atrium Health Carolina’s Medical Center (CMC Main) Progressive Care Unit so that his healthcare team could monitor for any complications of GBS. GBS can inhibit breathing and attribute to blood pressure fluctuations.

There’s no known cure for Guillain-Barré syndrome., but he was given Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG) to lessen the severity of the condition and hopefully shorten your recovery time.

• Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG): This treatment involves intravenous (IV) injections of immunoglobulins, which are proteins that your immune system naturally makes to attack invading organisms. The immunoglobulins come from a collection of thousands of healthy donors. IVIG can lessen your immune system’s attack on your nerves.

Rehabilitation

Since Carlton has shown signs of improvement since his initial diagnosis, his healthcare team transferred him to a rehabilitation setting. Here, he’ll work with physical therapists to regain strength and resume activities of daily living.

Types of therapy include:

• Physical therapy: This helps you improve how your body moves. A physical therapist will help you manage symptoms like pain, stiffness and discomfort. They’ll also help you with exercises to regain muscle strength.

• Occupational therapy: This type of therapy helps you improve your ability to do daily tasks. An occupational therapist will help you learn how to stand, sit, move or use different tools to participate in your activities safely.

• Speech therapy: If GBS affects the muscles in your mouth or throat, a speech-language pathologist can help you regain skills of swallowing and speaking.

• Mobility aids: Devices such as canes, braces, walkers and wheelchairs can improve your mobility and help prevent falls. They can also help reduce fatigue.

Carlton has already started putting in many hours of rehabilitation daily, and as good as he is doing, it is still going to be a long road to full recovery.

It is during the months ahead that Carlton and his family will need our support.

Lifetime or Service Supporting Others

Carlton has spent his life in service to his community. He truly has a servant’s heart, and it shows through in his various roles.

York County Public Safety

o Carlton has been with York County Public Safety Communications for 28 years where he has risen through the ranks from Dispatcher, to Dispatch Shift Supervisor, to Training Coordinator, to 911 Operations Manager, and currently Professional Standards Manager for Compliance, Accreditations and Peer Support.

o He has established a number of programs including: the South Carolina Active Assailant Telecommunications Training Program, the York County Public Safety Communications Service Animal Program and the York County Public Safety Communications Peer Support Team.

Firefighter and EMT

o For 27 years he has worked as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Newport Fire Department.

o He was a former volunteer EMT with the Great Falls and Chester County Rescue Squads, a volunteer EMT at River Hills Emergency Squad, an EMT for Chester County EMS, Piedmont Medical Center EMS and Gaston County EMS (GEMS).

Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO)

o Carlton is serving as President of the South Carolina Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and serves on the 911 Advisory Committee for the State of SC where he was appointed by Governor McMaster.

o He works with the APCO Institute where he has worked on several committees to update curriculum for multiple emergency tele-communicator courses and teaches many of these courses to telecommunicators.

Community Service

o He has coached basketball and soccer not only for his son, but many other children in York and Chester County.

Pawsitive Action Service Dogs

o He is an active member of Pawsitive Action Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization where he helps to train service animals for veterans, 1st responders, Educational Assistance Dogs, and people with disabilities.

o He is the handler and cares for the official York County Public Safety Communications Service Dog, a 2-year old Goldadore named Captain.

Because of Carlton’s current medical condition, he and Holly will also not be able to continue their secondary (part-time) jobs that supplement their full-time income. Folks, they need our help.

My friend Carlton is a true HERO to me, his family, his other co-workers, and his community. He has always stepped up for others when the need has arisen. Now we are asking for others to step up for him and his family.

Buster maintains an amazing positive attitude, but he has a long, difficult road ahead of him.

Let us please lend our friend and his family a helping hand. Your consideration is very much appreciated!