Carter Fowler is a smiling happy eight year old. But he is not a typical eight year old.  Carter has a traumatic brain injury.

On October 24th in 2009 a poor, defenseless 5-week-old, Carter Fowler was severely injured by his biological father. His dad violently shook him and threw him against something hard, causing severe damage to his brain and a broken clavicle.

Carter spent several months in the hospital due to his injuries. His dad is serving a 32 year prison sentence in Newport and was recently denied parole.

Carter is now 8 years old and unfortunately still suffers, as he always will according to his foster mom, Diane Fowler. He’s blind and has seizures. He has cerebral palsy as a result of lack of oxygen at the time of the injury. He’s at a very high choking risk and has to be tube fed. Because of his very poor tone, he gets painful botox shots every 3-4 months in his chest, arms and legs.

Carter also has to take 12 medications everyday to help with his symptoms and condition. He cannot walk, talk, roll over, or even hold up his own head and possibly may never be able to do all these things- all as a result of being shaken.

When he was born, he had no issues. He is now suffering permanent injury because of his father.

Carter’s story gave rise to Carter’s Law.

The law states,  “Love me, don’t shake me”. Carter’s Law will bring awareness regarding SBS (Shaken baby syndrome) on a whole different level.

According to Carter’s foster parents, Diane and Clifton Fowler, it will require mandatory shaken baby education to all new parents after giving birth. It also requires SBS training for all daycare employees in Arkansas.

This law passed on April 11th, 2013.

Carter’s biological father was up for possible patrol. But Diane talked to the parole board in objection and convinced them not to let him have it, so his parole ended up being denied.

Despite the suffering little Carter had to and still has to go through, he’s a sweet, happy little boy.

“He has the most precious giggle ever and melts my heart with his smile. I’m blessed and proud to be Carter’s mom. She also says, I will be there every step of the way to make Carter’s life the best it can be,” said Diane, his new mom.