Eddyville child to undergo experimental treatment

Local News

October 8, 2009

By DUANE NOLLEN

EDDYVILLE — Carter Claver had a stroke when he was 15 months old, and his parents are holding a benefit auction Sunday to raise money for his treatment.

Carter, now 3 1/2 years old, will have an experimental treatment in California on Oct. 27.

“He had a metabolic stroke” that affects his language and movement, Carter’s mother, Sharis Bahr said. “He’s smart as a whistle,” but physically, the stroke left him with the same motor function as a 4- to 6-month-old infant, she said.

“He actually had an undiagnosed metabolic condition and it didn’t show up on his newborn screen,” she said.

Carter has Methylmalonic Acidemia, which is a metabolic condition that does not allow his body to break down four amino acids in protein that accumulates in his body, Sharis said.

Carter woke up on a Wednesday morning hyperventilating, Sharis said. He was taken to the hospital in Pella, where he was stabilized, and then to Blank’s Childrens Hospital in Des Moines. He had the stroke that Friday, she said.

Carter has taken several different medications and therapies to deal with things such as muscle spasms.

Sharis said they had the option to do either experimental brain surgery at the Mayo Clinic or go to California for a stem cell therapy utilizing stem cells from umbilical cords.

So, the family is going to California.

“We’re very optimistic about doing it,” Sharis said. She said that everyone who has undergone the therapy has shown some form of improvement.

Since the therapy is experimental, insurance will not cover the nearly $19,000 price tag, Sharis said.

So, a benefit auction will be held Sunday, Oct. 11, at Eddyville-Blakesburg High School. The meal starts at 4 p.m. and the auction starts at 5 p.m.

Sharis said that several local businesses donated items to be auctioned off, and there will be food for sale as well.

Etcetera Studio in Eddyville also is conducting a benefit photo shoot on Monday, Oct. 12, at 9 a.m. at the business center in Eddyville. People can get their picture taken for $20, Sharis said.

Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com