JAY – There will be a spaghetti supper and dance on March 15, 2014 at the AMVETS in Jay to benefit Brian Dalot and his son, Carson. Brian is recovering from open heart surgery and Carson was hospitalized for two months following a cardiac arrest.

Carson is 20 months old. His grandmother Karen Dalot (who is Brian’s mother) said in an e-mail that he was hospitalized at Maine Medical Center in Portland for two months and stayed in the Barbara Bush wing. He suffered the cardiac arrest on Sept. 3.

While in the hospital, Carson developed an infection and had a temperature of 104.5, causing him to go back to the ICU ward.

“Carson was like a newborn again when this all took place and has had to relearn everything all over again,” said Karen. “He couldn’t even hold his head up and for several weeks it was touch and go whether he would pull through.”

While Carson was in the hospital, it was discovered that Brian would also have to have his own heart surgery. In January, he had a mechanical valve put in at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston and will be on Coumadin for life.

Karen noted that Carson has extensive appointments with occupational and physical therapists several times a week. He also has a speech therapist who comes to the home to work with Carson teaching him to eat again.

Right now, Carson has a G-tube button that he has meals through several times a day. Yet, in spite of all of the physical hardships he has endured, Carson keeps plugging along.

“He is a very strong little boy with a brilliant smile that is contagious,” said Karen. “He is such a fighter and a happy little boy. He has made remarkable strides, but still has a ways to go to get back to the way things were.”

Father and son like to read stories, spend time together with their pets, and play with toys like trucks and a ball. Physicians told the family that less than 10 percent of children survive what Carson has overcome.

“Our family truly feels blessed each and every day that he is with us and look forward to many more,” said Karen. “Through all of these difficult months, we realize even more what a true miracle child Carson Dalot really is!”

Supper will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the AMVETS March 15. The price is $8 adults, and $5 for kids 12 and under. Donations will be accepted for the dance, which features the Crash Road Band. There will be a 50/50 drawing and raffles. For more information, contact Karen Dalot and Diane Levesque at 8972926 or Richard Moreau at 897-4895.