Student Spotlight: Carson Seagrave

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When Carson Seagrave, a 15-year-old sophomore at Westfield High School, found out his best friend had been seriously injured in a trampoline accident, his world changed. The accident left his friend, a 16-year-old former Westfield High School student, with quadriplegia, unable to move his fingers. An intense journey of rehabilitation, support and personal growth followed.

In August, shortly after the accident, Seagrave’s friend was transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, renowned for its spinal cord injury rehabilitation program. For three months, he underwent intensive therapy to regain as much independence as possible. During this time, Seagrave was invited to participate in Craig Hospital’s Flying with Friends program, which helps friends and family learn how to support individuals with mobility challenges.

“It’s designed to teach you how to hang out with your friend in a wheelchair,” Seagrave says. “I learned how to safely transfer him from his wheelchair to a couch, bed or car using tools like a slide board, which makes moving easier.”

The five-day program also included lessons on spinal cord injuries. Seagrave learned about the specific challenges his friend would face, including the condition of autonomic dysreflexia. This occurs when a person’s blood pressure spikes due to pain or discomfort, which can lead to serious complications.

“I was taught to recognize signs of it, like his blood pressure rising, and how to call for help if it happens,” Seagrave says.

Seagrave also had the opportunity to participate in his friend’s rehabilitation therapy. One of the most impactful experiences was trying electrical stimulation therapy, which uses external impulses to activate muscles.

Despite the challenges, Seagrave says his friend is determined. He says he works out daily and constantly adapts to his new life. Seagrave says it’s tough for him, especially not being able to move his fingers, even though he can move his arms and wrists.

Seagrave says spinal cord injuries are vastly different from other types of injuries, and many people don’t understand the extent of his friend’s prognosis. Now, back home, his friend is continuing therapy and taking online classes while adjusting to life with a life-altering injury. Seagrave says the experience has deepened his empathy and shaped his goals for the future.

“I’ve always been interested in the medical field,” Seagrave says. “I’m currently in the EMS pathway at Westfield High School. I hope to work as an EMT after high school and eventually become an emergency medicine physician. This experience has shown me the importance of compassion and understanding in health care.”

Seagrave says his decision to participate in the Flying with Friends program was easy.

“He’s my best friend and we hang out all the time, so it just made sense for me to learn how to help him,” Seagrave says.

Seagrave says the experience has strengthened their friendship and prepared him for future challenges. He says there were so many other people in wheelchairs at the hospital, and hearing their stories made him realize the level of resilience in adapting to this kind of life.

Seagrave’s participation in Flying with Friends is a beautiful example of what it means to support someone through life-altering circumstances. As his friend works toward recovery, one thing is certain – Seagrave will be by his side, providing physical, mental and emotional support along with friendship every inch of the way.