Surviving & Thriving
/Teen Carter Beck’s Recovery from a Severe Brain Injury is “A Miracle”
By Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker
photo by shane darby.
Despite the rainy weather, 17-year-old Carter Beck was looking forward to a fun weekend with friends at Lake Hamilton. The previous night, the teen had enjoyed the Pleasant Grove prom and casino night, and he was already packed up and ready for the trip. After a breakfast of pancakes and peanut butter, Carter picked up his friend Drew Walters, and the boys headed out, full of excitement. The date was May 5th, 2024.
A few hours later, Carter’s entire world would be turned upside down.
As they came into Prescott, Arkansas, wet road conditions caused Carter and Drew to hydroplane on the interstate, spin out of control, and crash into a tree. After the impact, Carter was unresponsive. Drew could not find his phone, but he saw Carter’s and called 911. Minutes later, Carter’s parents, Amanda and Adam Beck, received a call no parents would want to receive.
Carter’s car was unrecognizable after the hydroplaning accident that left him in the hospital for over a month. submitted photo.
“Adam came bursting into our bedroom around 9:15 a.m.,” Amanda said. “He said, ‘Carter has been in an accident. Drew said he’s breathing, but he can’t get him to wake up.’”
Amanda and Adam met an Arkansas State Trooper at Wadley Hospital in Hope, where the ambulance had taken Carter. The officer told them that Carter’s accident was the fifth he had worked that morning because of the weather. Carter’s injuries were serious, but the weather prevented him from being able to be flown to Little Rock. They waited for a transport for what Amanda described as “forever.”
“It was a long wait,” she said. “They would not let us see our boy. When ground transport got there, I asked if I could see him or say anything to him before they took him. She said, ‘They haven’t let you see him? Of course. We won’t stop moving him, but absolutely talk to him while we are loading him.’”
When they made it to Little Rock, Adam and Amanda began to understand just how serious Carter’s injuries were.
submitted photo.
“The doctor told me that brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate, or severe,” Amanda said. “She said his were severe and that his brain was damaged all four ways it can be damaged. This is when I kind of understood the severity.”
The doctor explained that an artery in his brain had been completely severed, causing that part of the brain to go without oxygen for almost seven hours. Carter also had subdural hematomas all over his brain. He had an epidural hematoma on the left side, and he had lobes of his brain separating from one another. He also had an axonal injury.
Carter underwent surgery and then was in the intensive care unit.
“The ICU was hard,” Amanda said. “Every beep, every move Carter made, had me on edge. His blood pressure would be extremely high, then it would drop really low. It was a combination of trauma and trying to [get him stabilized with medication].”
When Carter was moved out of the ICU, a very important person was finally able to join Carter’s care team—his 15-year-old sister, Madelyn.
“It was scary seeing my brother in that condition, but I’m so proud of how he pushed through.”
“Madelyn was an absolute lifesaver at the hospital,” Amanda said. “She kept Adam and me going, and she was the best caregiver for Carter. She stayed by his bed the whole time. She fanned him when she thought he was hot. She held his hand and talked to him.”
As his body continued to recover in those first few days after the accident, Carter remained unconscious and unable to open his eyes, eat, drink, or communicate. Because he was still moving, they had to restrain him out of fear he might fall out of the bed.
“It was heartbreaking,” Amanda said. “We just kept telling him he was safe and reminding him that he was in the hospital and we were there. I told him that if he felt scared to pray and that he had thousands of people praying for him. We had to say this over and over because, with a traumatic brain injury, short-term memory may only last a few seconds, and they forget.”
After a few days, Carter’s friends and family began to see evidence of those prayers being answered. Carter started showing small signs of communication, like squeezing people’s hands and giving a thumbs-up in response to questions. He also began to open his eyes. On May 14th, he said his first clear word since having the accident: “Madelyn.”
Carter continued to recover and regain more skills each day. On May 17th, Carter’s best friend, Trip Jones, came to visit and brought Madelyn along. When they walked into the room, Carter smiled for the first time since waking up. Amanda knew this meant he might be ready to receive visitors.
“Visitor days were the best days,” Amanda said. “I’m so thankful for all of his friends, family, and teachers that came to visit over the next few weeks. Some came multiple times. They kept him—and us—going.”
Between visits, Madelyn would keep Carter’s spirits up by reading all of the cards he was receiving from well-wishers. Amanda said some days Carter would receive as many as 40 cards.
“He loved every single one,” Amanda said. “He even got cards from complete strangers. He got cards from all over, including one from Australia.”
Submitted photo.
Carter’s rehabilitation has been difficult, but with the support of his friends and family, especially Madelyn (pictured at left), he’s well on his way to recovery. submitted photo.
Carter worked hard and continued to make progress in therapy. He was soon given the green light to have solid food.
“Adam immediately left and picked him up Chick-Fil-A,” Amanda said. “Carter had just finished two therapy sessions, so he was exhausted. He had to sleep for a few hours before he would eat. That’s how we knew just how tired he was; Carter loves his food.”
Carter was discharged on June 7th, 33 days after the accident, and was welcomed home by friends and family.
“His friends planned a ‘welcome home’ [event] for him at the high school,” Amanda said. “It was great. Several friends came to our house after, and it was wonderful having a house full again. I love all of these kids.”
Carter said those kind gestures made all of the difference in his recovery.
“My friends, family, and community have really helped me progress,” he said. “I learned that anything can be overcome with God’s help, because that’s truly the reason I’m alive and able to do what I am doing.”
He is doing a lot.
Less than six months later, Carter has started his senior year and is applying to colleges. He is also back at the gym with Trip, who said he is proud of Carter’s progress.
“Doctors told him he may never work out again,” Trip said. “Nothing anyone said was going to stop him from lifting, which is something I’m particularly proud of him for.”
Madelyn is also proud of him.
“It was scary seeing my brother in that condition,” Madelyn said. “But I’m so proud of how he pushed through. I’m so thankful he’s back home with us.”
“God truly worked a miracle with Carter,” Amanda said. “We are so very thankful.”