Community Gathers to Support Carter Clements

On Jan. 20, Jeanie Clements' world was shaken after a parent's worst nightmare became real: a call from the Westford Police explaining her 18-year-old son had

Carter Clements, 18, of Chelmsford, had been on his way home from a job interview at Tre Amici in Littleton and was expected home any minute.

"The phone call came instead," said Jeanie Clements. "That weekend was horrendous, not knowing whether Carter would make it through the next 24 hours."

But he did, and despite traumatic brain injuries, a broken left arm in two places, a broken rib and a neck fracture, Carter's parents are looking at each new day as an "opportunity for something wonderful to happen."

Jeanie Clements knows it won't be an easy road for her son - the traumatic brain injury will keep him in Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston for probably one to two more months, she said.

Clements said Carter will undergo physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and a host of other recuperative aids to help his body and brain relearn how to work together. 

"Carter's progress since leaving the ICU and going to rehab has been remarkable and doctors say he has a good prognosis for a full recovery," she said.

After the accident, Carter spent 19 days in the ICU at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, with his parents by his side constantly, sleeping in a recliner. Carter was then moved Spaulding, and his parents have been by his side there, too.

"The staff there took it upon themselves to move Carter to a private room so we could stay with him there too. Their kindness and support allowed us to spend every moment talking, singing, reading to Carter - or just watching him sleep," Jeanie Clements said. "As he responded more and more we knew that everything was going to be OK, it is just going to take time."

Since the accident, people all over have sent messages of hope and prayers to the family.

"It seems like family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances have spread his story to everyone they know; we're getting messages of support and love from all over. It's amazing, and it has helped keep us strong so Steve and I can concentrate on what's important - being there for Carter and for each other," she said.

Yesterday, friends, family and community members gathered at the to help support the Clements family and help with medical costs for Carter's recover that aren't covered by insurance.

"The funds will (also) to help support him throughout the outpatient rehab he will need to continue after being sent home. Our Neighborhood Health Plan insurance is terrific, and the hospital helped us apply for MassHealth to cover some of the expenses that are incurred once our insurance limits are reached," she said.

Still, with such a long road ahead, expenses will add up. But those thoughts aren't on Jeanie Clements' mind right now.

"Folks who have gone through this kind of thing before have told us we won't know until the last bill arrives... it's another 'wait and see' situation," she said. "They tell us we are going to be broke and will have to take steps to protect the house. Right now we can't even think about that stuff. Not 'til Carter is ready to be his wonderful, independent self again."

A website has been set up to keep friends and family informed on Carter's progress, and donations are accepted for Carter's recovery here.