TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pupils Take Classmate To Heart

ADVERTISEMENT

By PAUL CATALA pcatala@mediageneral.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2008

Each day in Ashley Duke's class at Bevis Elementary School, 7-year-old Carson Cochrane listens to the lessons, does his class work and like any first grader, plays around with his classmates during free time.

But although his peers treat Carson like they would any of their friends, they're aware it takes a special effort for him to keep up and about. So, for the holidays, they wanted to recognize that.

Carson was born March 26, 2001, with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. With the condition, the left side of the heart -- including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve -- is underdeveloped. Babies with this syndrome become ashen, have rapid and difficult breathing and have difficulty feeding. The defect is usually fatal within the first days or months of life unless it's treated.

Carson, the son of Bevis' Assistant Principal Melanie Cochrane, had to have a heart transplant at three weeks old and has had to undergo regular surgical and medical procedures annually, including a stay in All Children's in early October.

At this year's Thanksgiving Feast at Bevis, to show appreciation for having Carson as a classmate when he is up to it, the first-grade class decided to dedicate their hand-decorated holiday Christmas tree to him. Once assembled and decorated, the six-foot artificial tree was taken Nov. 29 to the children's ward at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, so other children could enjoy it and feel the holiday spirit.

During the Thanksgiving Feast under the school's outdoor pavilion, 5720 Osprey Ridge Drive, about 120 first graders from seven classes gathered for a traditional lunch of turkey, potatoes and pumpkin pies. About half of the pupils were dressed as pilgrims, while the other half were Native Americans, such as Carson. The event was based on Thanksgiving stories the children read by author Jan Brett.

Following the meal, the children ringed the pavilion and sang traditional American anthems and holiday songs before placing handmade decorations on the tree. First-grade teacher Beth Kordsmeier said the pupils spent about two weeks on the project.

"We feel it's really important for the students to give something back to the community and this way, they can see their tree before it gets donated to the hospital," she said.

While his classmates took turns decorating the tree, Carson -- who lives in FishHawk with Melanie, his father Brian and his brother Cole -- sat and ate with his mom.

Melanie Cochrane, in her fifth year as Bevis' assistant principal, said seeing the children's empathy and concern for her son was inspiring. She said Oct. 1, Carson was re-admitted to All Children's due to dehydration from immune suppression treatment.

Staff at All Children's said the project by the first graders at Bevis was inspirational.

Kristin Rosenberg, an All Children's heart transplant coordinator, said the tree was delivered to the hospital at about 9 a.m. On hand to receive the tree was Dr. Alfred Asante-Korang a transplant cardiologist and Carson's doctor, as well as Kristin Rosenberg, a heart transplant coordinator, and Carson's family.

"A lot of the children have very complex health issues and this makes their visits here a more pleasant experience," said Rosenberg.

Carson's mother and his family think the support of the hospital and his friends, will help her son do ok.

While infants successfully treated for the syndrome have a good chance of survival, they may experience chronic health problems for the rest of their lives, according to the Center for Disease Control Web page. Advances in surgical and medical techniques first developed in the early 1980s have helped increase the survival rate.

"It's all very touching," said Carson's mother. "Not only do I see the faces that made the ornaments, but I'll see the kids that will enjoy them over the holidays." .

"He doesn't have to feel bad about being out of school and they all encourage him; that helps him deal with his problems, she said."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT