Meet Jessie’s Club Ambassador Carter Mulvey

Carter Mulvey is a two-year-old who’s full of smiles, smirks, and surprises. “He’s pretty much happy all the time,” says his mom, Brittany. “He shocks us all the time with the new things he does.” 

He’s also a 2025 Gillette Children’s Jessie’s Club Ambassador. Jessie’s Club Ambassadors share their stories and personal care journeys to help build awareness of and philanthropic support for Gillette’s mission. The club provides a fun and meaningful opportunity to connect with other patient families and to highlight the impact Gillette’s care has on our community. 

Carter was born prematurely after a long delivery that ended with him in the NICU. Though he was monitored there for a month, Brittany and his dad, Jason, brought him home feeling pretty lucky Carter was so healthy after his scary start. 

Within a few months, however, Carter began experiencing severe acid reflux. The prescribed medication wasn’t helping, he strongly resisted tummy time, and his parents felt something was “off”. Brittany and Jason took Carter to his pediatrician, who referred them to a neurologist for further evaluation.

When the neurologist didn’t find anything concerning and something still didn’t feel quite right , Brittany and Jason sought a second opinion at Gillette. 

“I called Gillette, and they were able to schedule Carter for the earliest possible appointment,” Brittany remembers. “When we arrived, everyone spoke to us in a completely different tone than what we were used to. The doctor held Carter and really took the time to explain what they were looking for and what they noticed as they went along.” 

An MRI revealed the reason Carter wasn’t reaching age-appropriate milestones like sitting up or rolling over: he had experienced a stroke at birth. His neurologist at Gillette, Dr. Charbel El Kosseifi, shared the news with Brittany and Jason. 

“He came into the room, and it was kind of scary, but he was so straightforward, even when he didn't have all the answers right away. He put so much into perspective,” Brittany says. “We knew we were dealing with more than a delay, but right away Dr. El Kosseifi and the staff said therapies would be best for Carter, and that we could get all the care he needs through Gillette.” 

Brittany and Jason immediately moved Carter’s care and therapy to Gillette, where he had access to expertise and tools that boosted his progress almost immediately. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Through physial therapy, he learned to crawl, sit, and stand. The family was able to take home some assistive tools home so he could practice and build strength outside of therapy as well. Gillette’s physical therapists made sure the whole family – including his grandparents – knew how to support Carter’s work between appointments at Gillette. 

Brittany and Carter often walked up and down their street with his gait trainer. Early last October, he decided to try walking without support. He took a step or two, then a few more the next day. By the end of the week, he was walking independently. 

“At the clinic, Carter’s physical therapists, who he adores, would see him in passing and marvel at how far he’d come,” his grandma, Amy, says. “The front desk staff would cheer him on, too. It’s been a fun experience. They all know him. At his first birthday, we didn’t know if he would be able to sit and support himself, and now we don’t know how to contain him!”