14year old recover from horrific oil burns all over his legs
Donation protected
This is my son, Michael. And this is something I never imagined I would have to do, but I need to ask for help!
On 16th February, Michael was involved in a terrible accident where a chip pan caught fire and was inadvertently thrown over the back of his bare legs, thigh to foot, whilst he was staying with family in Sheffield. He was rushed to Sheffield children's hospital with extensive burns to both legs/feet, including 3 large full thickness burns (both ankles/heels, and behind one knee). He was admitted to the hospital and in less than a week, was rushed to ICU due to infections, fluid loss and going into shock.... we nearly lost him but they were able to stabilise him and move him back to the ward after a few days... within a matter of days we discovered he had fluid on his lungs due to the excessive amount of IV fluids he was given to try to get his blood pressure stable, so he almost ended up back in the ICU again. He's had multiple surgeries, and still has many to go, and years of pain/physio ahead of him.
During his hospital stay, we literally had the clothes on our backs and nothing else. I had to buy clothing, toiletries etc for us all, buy protein rich foods everyday for Michael, provide food/ bus and taxi fares for my other children and myself throughout his stay.... bills were not paid and I had to apply for every loan and grant going, with no luck. The financial strain has crippled me already
Michael is facing months of pain, hospital appointments, surgeries, physiotherapy etc before he will be able to walk again properly and return to school/be in public spaces. He will only be able leave the house to go to hospital during that whole time, and will have to switch to online learning (no laptop so more expense).
I'm a single (disabled) mum with 3 children ( and I only receive money for 2), so I'm unable to keep up with all of the basic costs, let alone provide him with everything he will need/want for his recovery, so I have no other choice but to come here and beg for money... so please, if there's any kind strangers out there who are in a position to help, please donate and help a young boy (and his family) deal with aftermath of a horrific accident, which has turned their whole lives upside down.
Thank you to anyone who reads/shares/donates.
*** edited to add...
Michael is not 14 anymore, he had his 15th birthday in April. 8 days prior to his birthday, we returned to the hospital for skin grafts on the btm. Afterwards, his leg was splinted, and his feet were in traction boots, so he spent the next 7 days in bed. He awoke on his 15th birthday to balloons and banners painted by the nurses decorating his room. We spent the day waiting for his graft check and dressing change to be done, and to find out if he could go home, while my sister decorated my house on the hopes he could make it back. Many of the amazing staff came to wish him a happy birthday and gave him presents. Amazingly, despite many obstacles, the staff managed to find a way to get him home that day, and following a 2 hour journey, he finally arrived home at 6:30pm and got to spend the rest of the evening celebrating his birthday with family at home ❤️❤️
I am eternally grateful to all of the staff on the burns ward, not just for the amazing care they give Michael, but also going above and beyond to make him feel as comfortable, relaxed and entertained/distracted as they possibly can every time we are there. They made the worst time of his/our lives just that little bit easier to deal with, and helped keep me sane when things were going badly with Michael. I cannot thank them enough xx
Fundraising team (2)
Kimberley Parkin
Organizer
Kayleigh Parkin
Team member