Abuse left boy damaged, but family won’t let that stop him

EVERETT — Jamarious Carpenter is good at helping his grandma prove people wrong.

The 6-year-old is a pint-sized fighter, defying expectations. Maybe he gets that from his grandma, who was determined to prove to the boy’s doctors that he would beat the odds.

The doctors spent a lot of time telling Ginger Carpenter what her grandson would never be able to do. She has spent the past six years focused on what Jamarious can do and how she can help him reach his next milestone.

“We were never going to let him sit in a corner,” Carpenter said. “We were never going to give up.”

On Sunday, Jamarious played in the pool at the YMCA in downtown Everett. His grandma pulled him around the warm water. He kicked his legs and floated. He squealed, screeched and smiled.

Pure joy in motion.

It doesn’t matter that he can’t tell his grandma he’s having a good time. Words would fall short compared to that smile.

Jamarious and his grandparents recently were given a five-year membership to the YMCA through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. On Sunday, there was a party and a dip in the pool to celebrate.

The Carpenters were joined by dozens of relatives and people who have become family as they work to give the little boy a life that defies what happened to him.

Jamarious was born healthy. Then when he was just 3½ months old his father assaulted him.

Doctors discovered a devastating brain injury, broken bones and internal injuries.

The abuse caused spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy. It robbed Jamarious of normal muscle function. He was left with epilepsy and days filled with seizures. His vision is limited. He is fed through a tube, unable to swallow without problems.

His father served a couple of years in prison for the abuse. The man since has died.

Ginger and her husband, Eddy, adopted Jamarious, their daughter’s son, in 2009. Doctors told the Carpenters that Jamarious likely would never walk or talk.

The Everett woman, 49, wasn’t going to allow others to tell her what he was capable of accomplishing. Together they would learn.

Jamarious needs help from a walker but he makes his way just fine. He is in first-grade at Madison Elementary School in Everett. He rides the bus to school. He giggles and “talks in his own language,” Carpenter said.

Sometimes it felt like they lived at Seattle Children’s Hospital. There are always medical appointments. Carpenter pushes the boy. They appreciate the good days.

“He didn’t throw up for an entire year, a whole year,” Carpenter said. “That was a big deal.”

Her grandson has taught her to live in the moment.

“We go day-by-day and we’re not in a hurry to get to the future. It’s not promised,” Carpenter said.

Staff at a special clinic at Children’s Hospital had nominated Jamarious to the local Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

It didn’t take the Carpenters long to request a membership to the nearest YMCA.

Jamarious was about 9 months old the first time he was in a pool. He swims at Camp PROV, a day camp for children with special needs. The family went on a road trip this summer, visiting family and attending Carpenter’s 30th high school reunion in Wisconsin. They stayed in hotels with pools. The boy’s screeches echoed off the walls, Carpenter said.

There’s freedom in the water.

It’s not a typical wish, said Jeannette Tarcha, a spokeswoman for Make-A-Wish Alaska Washington.

“I saw this request come across my desk and thought ‘That is such a sweet sentiment,’ ” she said. “It’s the absolute right wish for this kid. This is what is going to bring him joy.”

A trip to Disneyland would have been too much for him, Carpenter said.

The foundation donated $5,000 for the membership. The YMCA picked up the remaining $700.

“We certainly want Jamarious’ dreams and wishes to come true. We’re happy to play a small part in his upbringing,” said Ted Wenta, the vice president of operations for the YMCA of Snohomish County.

Grandma and grandson will enjoy the warm water at the Y. She’ll push him to strengthen his legs. He’ll smile and giggle at the simple pleasure of floating.

Carpenter is grateful for the generosity. Five years is a great start. Maybe by then Jamarious, who turns 7 in January, might be interested in other activities. Maybe he’ll want to play baseball.

“I don’t want to ever limit him,” his grandma said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Everett police searching for missing child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive. The child was missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Everett
11 months later, Lake Stevens man charged in fatal Casino Road shooting

Malik Fulson is accused of shooting Joseph Haderlie to death in the parking lot at the Crystal Springs Apartments last April.

T.J. Peters testifies during the murder trial of Alan Dean at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell cold case trial now in jury’s hands

In court this week, the ex-boyfriend of Melissa Lee denied any role in her death. The defendant, Alan Dean, didn’t testify.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.