Twins' Bond Strengthened Through Art After Mystery Virus at Birth
When Medowie twins Carter and Milla Goodwin were struck by an unknown virus as newborns, their lives were forever altered, but their bond has only grown stronger over time. Now 12 years old, the twins have found a unique and touching synchronicity linking them both to the Children's Hospital at Westmead through art and their family's unwavering devotion to supporting Carter.
A Mysterious Onset and Diagnosis
The twins were born happy and healthy at 34 weeks, but their journey took a dramatic turn just as they were preparing to go home. Their father, Alex Goodwin, recounted receiving a phone call that Carter was unwell, experiencing seizures and apnoeas, leading to his transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit at John Hunter Hospital. A couple of days later, his twin sister Milla followed suit, with both infants becoming very ill for reasons that initially baffled medical professionals.
An MRI revealed substantive white matter pattern changes in Carter's brain, a condition so rare that Australian neurologists had never seen it before. The scans were sent to the Netherlands, where experts identified it as consistent with human parechovirus, an unknown rare disease with few documented cases worldwide in neonates. The twins spent several weeks in intensive care, and while Milla made a full recovery, Carter faced ongoing challenges.
Carter's Ongoing Health Journey
About two months after discharge, Alex and his wife Sam noticed something wasn't right with Carter. After consultations with a paediatrician and physiotherapist, they were referred to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, where Carter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy quadriplegia and hypertonia, primarily affecting his lower limbs. His muscles were quite tight, making him a good candidate for a baclofen pump, a device that releases muscle relaxant medication consistently.
In September, Carter underwent surgery to have the pump installed, but an infection in November necessitated its removal. During this period, Carter and his family spent over a month at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, where they discovered solace in the hospital's art-filled environment.
Art as a Healing Connection
The hospital features a rainbow ramp that winds through levels and includes an art gallery with children's artwork. Alex Goodwin described how the family would often take walks to view the art, finding it a welcome distraction from the clinical setting. He noted, "We explored numerous artworks down almost every corridor, often late at night when the common areas of the hospital were eerily quiet. The depth of the works are incredible."
In a remarkable coincidence, Milla's school was participating in Operation Art, a program encouraging students to submit artwork for display in the Art Gallery of NSW and regional galleries, before moving permanently to the Westmead hospital gallery. Milla, who loves to draw and paint, submitted an artwork titled Colourful Cats, inspired by her pillowcase and her two cats, Oakey and Tinky.
The family was overjoyed when they learned, while Carter was still in hospital, that Milla's artwork had been selected as one of 50 pieces from 657 entries. Alex Goodwin expressed, "We find it really special that both our twins will now have a permanent attachment to the hospital." Milla added, "I know it will brighten someone's day. I know that Carter loves looking at the artworks there. It makes me really proud to display my own art there."
A Milestone Year and Family Resilience
This year marked a significant milestone as the twins started high school, a moment of celebration for the family amidst their ongoing challenges. The Goodwin family's story highlights not only the medical complexities faced by the twins but also the power of art and family support in fostering resilience and connection. Through their shared experiences, Carter and Milla's bond has been deepened, offering a beacon of hope and inspiration in the face of adversity.
