The Tribune

By Rashad Rolle

A 11-YEAR-OLD boy who sang the National Anthem during a National Independence Flag-raising ceremony died less than two weeks later.

Carlton Cartwright stood proudly singing “March On, Bahamaland” in Long Island on June 10. With his schoolmate at his side, Carlton was happy to be part of the ongoing celebrations across the islands to mark the 40th Anniversary of Independence.

Tragically, he died of an asthma attack 12 days later, on Saturday, June 22.

Carlton’s father, Carlton Cartwright Jr, of Mortimers, Long Island, told The Tribune: “He made me feel like the proudest father in the world during the flag raising. He had a natural born gift for singing. On Father’s Day, he created a programme where he sang for me and had his sisters dance for me and he told me he loved me.”

Carlton, who would have been 12 on November 23, was graduated from Morrisville Primary School and was expected to start NGM Major High School later this summer.

He received awards for his singing and athletic contributions during his school’s graduation ceremony. His mother and father don’t blame anyone for their son’s death, but they question the provision of medical services on the Family Islands.

Carlton’s mother, Nicolle Cartwright, 29, from New Providence, told The Tribune she was still suffering from her loss.

“It hurt me terribly, I’m still on medication to help me keep calm because losing a child at a young age is definitely not easy,” she said.

“I know my baby was way beyond his time. Now that he’s gone, we understand he was not just an average 11-year-old and other people would always say the same thing. Like the way he broke out with his bravery by singing at events, he was a special boy.”

Carlton’s father said his son didn’t have a severe case of asthma.

“Normally his inhaler would suffice. I also had a nebuliser for him and no attack ever got to the point where he had to be hospitalised.”

The day Carlton died he had called his father that evening and said: “Daddy I feel like my asthma on me.”

His father said: “I went home, gave him his inhaler and nebuliser and he was fine. I went back to work and left him playing with his sisters like he always does.

“Around 2am he got up gasping for breath like his grandmother never saw before. She got the inhaler and nebuliser and gave it to him but for the first time none of the medicines worked. “After it didn’t work, my mother called the doctor. The doctor spoke to Carlton and told him to tell his grandmother to take him to the clinic.

“My son hung the phone up so the doctor called back and my mother was screaming, telling the doctor ‘it looks like Carlton dead.’

“My mother called me and say ‘junior come quick, Carlton having an asthma attack.’ I know my son and I love him but when I reached and held him I knew the reality.”

The family rushed the boy to the Grants Town clinic but Carlton’s dad said the key to open the clinic was missing.

He said: “We were told the nurse was on vacation so we had to drive and rush him to the Deadman’s Cay clinic where his doctor is. I would really like to commend that doctor and her team for the job they did. She worked for about an hour and a half and did her best for him.”

Carlton and Nicole have two other children, both girls: Ciarah, 8, and Cianne, 5.

Mr Cartwright said: “They ask me questions like why he had to be born with asthma? The answer is something I have to explain to them.”

Mr and Mrs Cartwright question the provision of medical services on the Family Islands.

“We have support clinics around the island but they just let them close,” said Mr Cartwright.

“The government lacks care for the Family Islands. It’s like we aren’t a part of the country,” he added.

Mrs Cartwright said: “If the Family Islands were more equipped with ambulances and stuff, things wouldn’t happen the way they do. I just hope people will take a better look at the Family Islands and see what needs to be put in place because he isn’t the only child in these islands with asthma. This could’ve happened to anybody.”

Ultimately the parents said Carlton’s death was a part of God’s bigger plan.

“If God gave him 11 years then 11 years is what he’ll get, God does everything for a purpose,” said Mrs Cartwright.

Mr Cartwright said: “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. I consider him to have been the best son a father could ask for and because of that I have peace that comes with understanding.”