Carter Pierzchalski loves people and taking pictures, drawing … and most of all, Mustangs.
The Worth boy is described by his loved ones as stronger than the average 5-year-old boy, because he is living with a life-threatening condition.
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A malignant brain tumor diagnosed in 2011 caused partial paralysis on his left side and forced Carter to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Carter is able to walk; however, his motor skills are limited. He has seizures and is on a special ketogenic diet.
Special Spaces, an organization that creates dream bedrooms for children with life-threatening medical conditions, heard Carter’s story through Central DuPage Hospital and decided to give him a bedroom makeover. It took place earlier this month.
“As soon as we heard his journey, we knew we wanted to make his dream room wishes come true,” Illinois director of Special Spaces Kelly Knox said. “A bedroom to most kids is a personal space, and for a child with a critical illness who spends a lot of time at home in his or her room, that room should be a very special space. It should be a room that is designed and dreamed up by the child so as to become a place that is unique and loved.”
His 12-foot-by-14-foot room was a blank slate on the morning of March 12 before a team of volunteers painted the room and added a custom painting of a Mustang car. A board was installed on his walls so Carter could draw as he pleases.
For furnishings by The Land of Nod, he received a custom-designed, built-in bookcase bed, a new carpet, a play table and chairs, lamps, new bedding, new drapes and all new decorations. The Land of Nod also provided him with new toys.
Carter’s nomination stood out among the others, Knox said.
“Carter’s story is special because Carter is special,” she said. “He has endured more than most adult people I know, yet he just wants to smile and laugh and play. By example, he has made us all realize how lucky and happy we are to be alive.”
Special Spaces marketing director Andrea Schwemin said Carter was very excited about his bedroom makeover.
Carter’s parents are Kim and Todd Pierzchalski. He also has a 7-year-old brother, Nathan, who also got a makeover.
“His mother, Kim, was concerned that … so much of their life has revolved around taking care of Carter,” Knox said. “When we heard that, we knew we had to do something special for him (Nathan) too.”
Nathan’s makeover was not as elaborate as Carter’s, but the two rooms are very similar with an emphasis on bright colors and cars.
Furnishings for Nathan’s bedroom also were provided by The Land of Nod.
Knox, of Naperville, founded the Chicagoland Special Spaces chapter in 2012.
“This is Illinois’ 32nd makeover in 26 months,” Knox said, “We have done makeovers in suburbs form Tinley Park to Glenview and all over Chicago.”
The nonprofit partners with a company or an organization that provides the funding and/or materials necessary for a room makeover. To create Carter(1)s room, Special Spaces turned to The Land of Nod, a Northbrook-based company that specializes in children(1)s furniture and home decor, to design and donate the products for Carter’s room.
Kelly White is a freelance reporter.