Cammie Jackson
(Born: 08/31/1999 Shaken: 04/10/2000 SURVIVOR)
Cammie is a Shaken Baby Syndrome victim with traumatic brain injury and CVI (cortical vision impairment). Although the criminal court outcome was not what we hoped for, the rights of the mother were terminated. The signs of Cammie being shaken are still evident today and will be for the rest of her precious life.
Cammie was shaken not once, but twice, on two different occasions in March & April, 2002, leaving Cammie struggling for her life. Cammie had to be resuscitated on both occasions after she was shaken. However, as a result of the “second shaking”, Cammie had seizures, two subdural hematomas on the left side, swelling around the brain, paralysis on the entire right side of her body and was totally blind!! She was 2½ yrs. old, perfectly normal prior to the shaking but then she couldn’t see anything, couldn’t sit up, hold her head up, hold a cup, walk, crawl or anything that she could do prior to the abuse. She was incapacitated by the abuse and didn’t smile, talk or show many outward signs of a happy child.
Although Cammie was abused in another state, she received medical treatment and rehabilitation at two hospitals in Texas. The doctors were wonderful and knowledgeable. They did every test possible to examine Cammie’s condition and the cause of it. There was no medical evidence or tests that reflected why Cammie was in such a condition …. besides abuse. Child Abuse! Shaken! Shaken Baby Syndrome! How Could This Happen? A tragedy that could have been prevented … but wasn’t … leaving a precious child with disabilities that will follow her for the rest of her life.
After numerous therapists, neurologists, special vision specialists, seizure clinics, medications, special provisions and LOVE (yes love) Cammie began to regain some of her functions and began the slow process of healing and learning to cope with her disabilities. To date, Cammie has 50% of her vision and is considered legally blind. Cammie continues therapy today to help her with her paralysis, vision and other handicaps.
Cammie has made a tremendous amount of progress since those abusive days in 2002. Not all shaken babies are as fortunate as Cammie. Cammie got a second and third chance to survive … and with the help of many people including her Shaken Baby Alliance friends … Cammie survived … Cammie is alive!!
Many children who are shaken are victims of previous abuse. Many times Child Protective Services tries to “rehabilitate” the abusers. Courts, law enforcement and child protective services don’t always protect the child on the first indication of abuse. People who know the abusers turn their heads, don’t want to get involved, stay silent and/or won’t testify. The abusers paint themselves as the victims. The abusers usually provide various “stories” of how the child “hit” their head. Many people don’t speak out for fear of retaliation!
The above paragraph reflects the things that happened in Cammie’s case. Her violent shaking could have been prevented. Cammie’s handicaps and lack of vision are visible every day. There is not a day that goes by we are not reminded of Cammie’s abuse and her being a Shaken Baby Survivor. There is not one life Cammie doesn’t affect in one way or the other by her loving demeanor and her persistence to continue learning. She is a Miracle … a SHAKEN BABY SURVIVOR … an Angel with disabilities that she will and has learned to deal with. Awareness of Shaken Baby is imperative in order for families to not have to go through what Cammie has had to and continues to endure. The Shaken Baby Alliance not only assists children and families of victims, it continues to promote awareness of this destructive syndrome.
Cammie’s Second Chance
Children are an exceptionally precious gift
Given from a very special person above;
Children should be cherished and nurtured
Surrounded and protected by people who give them love.
I know your jobs are to serve and protect
Protect those too little to know wrong from right;
Those children need you for safety and guidance
They need you to be their “Loving” ray of light.
All things happen for whatever reason it may be
Though many times we’re lost as to reasons why;
Those times is when faith and prayer is relied upon
And we daily thank God for the twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes.
“Thanks” doesn’t seem to be a powerful enough word
To say to those who worked so very hard on Cammie’s case;
Cammie got a second chance at life again back in April
And it’s evident every day by the happiness she shows on her face.
Cammie is truly a living testimony of God and his will
And her self drive to learn all she knew before all over again;
Even having partial vision has not dampened our Angels spirit
Even Cammie’s physical impairments have also begun to mend.
Although Cammie’s struggle is far from being over
She is a miracle child now from the way she was that scary April day;
She’ll always be loved, cherished, cared for and nurtured
No matter what other obstacles should be thrown our way!
I pray for all the other children, parents and grandparents in this world
To not have to go through the agony and pain Cammie had to go through;
Please continue to strive hard to protect these children from abuse and harm
Because Cammie wouldn’t be here with us now if it wasn’t for people like you!
Thank You, with All our Family and Cammie’s Love!
September, 2002 |
