Emergency Help for Malik

My name is Troy, but I want to introduce you to Malik Finch.

Malik is my niece's fiancé. He moved here to Massachusetts from Virginia to be here with my niece, to help raise his soon-to-be-born son as well as my niece's son from a previous relationship. He stepped in out of love, and did his best to provide for his new family. He hit the ground running, lined up work quickly, and started planning for the future.

This morning, he was in the kitchen while my niece was at work, making French fries for his adopted son (that's all he'll eat). A grease fire started in the pot, and in trying to extinguish it he instead dropped it, splashing burning oil over his lower extremities and across the floor. His actions at that moment showed me what kind of young man this is. He waved us past him into the kitchen where the pot was still burning, although his skin was hanging off his calves in shreds, to go make sure the fire was out. Then, in excruciating pain, went to climb the stairs to ensure that his children were okay. Imagine what it takes for someone injured so terribly to still have the wellbeing of another as his primary consideration.

I digress. He was medflighted to Brigham and Womens' hospital, where they induced a coma to keep him still and medicated while they determine the course of action. Right now, the doctor is saying he has 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 30% of his body. They're going to abrade the wounds when they can, and hope to use an artificial skin to minimize the need for grafts from elsewhere on his body.

He has a long road to recovery ahead of him. His family depends on him. And now I need to depend on you. Those of you who know me, know that i tend to ask for help as a last resort rather than a first option. He has no way of absorbing the costs of what's likely to be a lengthy recovery. Anything you give will be used to offset the costs of medical care as well as the loss of income this accident will impose on this young family. Please give what you can... and if you can't, please share it anyway. Thank you for your empathy.