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Burn victim’s recovery gets local boost
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| Lake City Fire Department Chief Carlton Tunsil (from left) stands with Keith Mobley, Don Wilson, Woodrow Faulkner, Blaiyze Neeley, Adam Brannon, Hank Rossell and Frank Armijo during Faulkner’s recent visit to the fire department. Faulkner was severely burned in a December explosion. COURTESY PHOTO |
Lake City Fire Department, community work together to help with 10-year-old.
By TONY BRITT
tbritt@lakecityreporter.com
Woodrow Faulkner can expect years of physical therapy, skin graphs and other medical procedures as he continues to recover from burns that cover most of his body.
Woodrow, 10, was severely burned in an explosion while playing with a lighter and gasoline on Dec. 10. He has second- and third-degree burns over 60-65 percent of his body as a result of the explosion.
Woodrow returned to Lake City in late February after going through several operations while at the Shriners Burn Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Patty Gaines, Woodrow’s mother, said doctors have predicted it will take several years for Woodrow to recover.
“The more he grows, the more surgeries he’ll have to have,” Gaines said, noting that her son is in good spirits now that he’s returned home. “He’s doing good. He started attending a PPEC (patient prescribed extended care facility) where he gets one-on-one schooling. It’s in Gainesville and he likes it. He’s doing real well there. (Doctors) are not talking about any surgeries right now. He has more surgeries to come, but his body is healing real well right now.”
Woodrow is still attending therapy and Gaines said he goes through four-five hours of therapy a day. He has to wear a facial mask and neck collar which will hold his head off his chest so his neck will be extended for the skin graph.
Gaines said her son didn’t want to return to Niblack Elementary School yet, and he’s still mentally stressed about his condition and appearance.
Woodrow has already had seven operations to move good skin to badly burned areas. His scalp is where they took a lot of the skin graph from, as well as his legs and stomach.
A chance to help
Lake City Fire Department firefighters want to make sure Woodrow remains in good spirits, and the department has launched its own recovery efforts and fundraising campaign to help Woodrow and his family recover from his burns.
The LCFD has been able to get the entire community involved with Woodrow’s recovery efforts — even Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
Lake City firefighter driver/engineer Don Wilson said firefighters learned that Woodrow was a “big Gators fan” and they were able to speak to Columbia High School football coach, Craig Howard. Howard relayed Woodrow’s circumstances to his former quarterback, Tebow, and Tebow sent Woodrow an autographed photo and other paraphernalia. Tebow also called and personally spoke to the youngster.
Wilson said Tebow is trying to set up a date where Faulkner can attend a Gators football practice and meet other University of Florida football players.
“We decided to launch the effort because of what he’s gone through,” Wilson said, noting Faulkner has had several operations. “It’s going to be a traumatic change in his life. That’s what we’re here for, to help people. We’re just trying to make it easier for him and let him know there are people that care for him.”
Wilson said the local fire department is trying to get Woodrow into a burn camp, where he can meet other children who are also recovering from burns.
Back to routine
Gaines just returned to work after caring for Woodrow for the past three months.
“Don and the fire department are really standing by me, and I really appreciate those guys,” she said. “That right now is his fun point. They come by and cheer him up.”
She said Woodrow had a beautiful Easter, and Wilson and Casey’s Produce brought Easter baskets, candy, toys, stuffed animals and fruits to their home.
“He was really, really happy, and he really enjoyed himself,” Gaines said. “They come by every week, and he looks forward to it.”
She also thanked the community for its support as she mentioned that several people have brought cards and well wishes to Woodrow.
Wilson said the Lake City Fire Department has been raising funds for Woodrow since he returned from the burn center in mid-February.
“We try to go over and see him once a week or he’ll come over to the fire department,” Wilson said. “He’s got good spirits, and I think he is going to bounce back.”
The Patty Gaines for Woodrow Faulkner Fund Account has been established for Woodrow at First Federal Bank of America. Contributions can be made at any of the bank’s branch offices or by mailing to: The Woodrow Faulkner Trust Fund, First Federal Savings Bank of America,
707 SW Main Blvd., Lake City, FL 32055.
Cards and letters of support can be mailed to Woodrow Faulkner at 120 NE Clermont Way, Lake City, FL 32055.
Woodrow, 10, was severely burned in an explosion while playing with a lighter and gasoline on Dec. 10. He has second- and third-degree burns over 60-65 percent of his body as a result of the explosion.
Woodrow returned to Lake City in late February after going through several operations while at the Shriners Burn Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Patty Gaines, Woodrow’s mother, said doctors have predicted it will take several years for Woodrow to recover.
“The more he grows, the more surgeries he’ll have to have,” Gaines said, noting that her son is in good spirits now that he’s returned home. “He’s doing good. He started attending a PPEC (patient prescribed extended care facility) where he gets one-on-one schooling. It’s in Gainesville and he likes it. He’s doing real well there. (Doctors) are not talking about any surgeries right now. He has more surgeries to come, but his body is healing real well right now.”
Woodrow is still attending therapy and Gaines said he goes through four-five hours of therapy a day. He has to wear a facial mask and neck collar which will hold his head off his chest so his neck will be extended for the skin graph.
Gaines said her son didn’t want to return to Niblack Elementary School yet, and he’s still mentally stressed about his condition and appearance.
Woodrow has already had seven operations to move good skin to badly burned areas. His scalp is where they took a lot of the skin graph from, as well as his legs and stomach.
A chance to help
Lake City Fire Department firefighters want to make sure Woodrow remains in good spirits, and the department has launched its own recovery efforts and fundraising campaign to help Woodrow and his family recover from his burns.
The LCFD has been able to get the entire community involved with Woodrow’s recovery efforts — even Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow.
Lake City firefighter driver/engineer Don Wilson said firefighters learned that Woodrow was a “big Gators fan” and they were able to speak to Columbia High School football coach, Craig Howard. Howard relayed Woodrow’s circumstances to his former quarterback, Tebow, and Tebow sent Woodrow an autographed photo and other paraphernalia. Tebow also called and personally spoke to the youngster.
Wilson said Tebow is trying to set up a date where Faulkner can attend a Gators football practice and meet other University of Florida football players.
“We decided to launch the effort because of what he’s gone through,” Wilson said, noting Faulkner has had several operations. “It’s going to be a traumatic change in his life. That’s what we’re here for, to help people. We’re just trying to make it easier for him and let him know there are people that care for him.”
Wilson said the local fire department is trying to get Woodrow into a burn camp, where he can meet other children who are also recovering from burns.
Back to routine
Gaines just returned to work after caring for Woodrow for the past three months.
“Don and the fire department are really standing by me, and I really appreciate those guys,” she said. “That right now is his fun point. They come by and cheer him up.”
She said Woodrow had a beautiful Easter, and Wilson and Casey’s Produce brought Easter baskets, candy, toys, stuffed animals and fruits to their home.
“He was really, really happy, and he really enjoyed himself,” Gaines said. “They come by every week, and he looks forward to it.”
She also thanked the community for its support as she mentioned that several people have brought cards and well wishes to Woodrow.
Wilson said the Lake City Fire Department has been raising funds for Woodrow since he returned from the burn center in mid-February.
“We try to go over and see him once a week or he’ll come over to the fire department,” Wilson said. “He’s got good spirits, and I think he is going to bounce back.”
The Patty Gaines for Woodrow Faulkner Fund Account has been established for Woodrow at First Federal Bank of America. Contributions can be made at any of the bank’s branch offices or by mailing to: The Woodrow Faulkner Trust Fund, First Federal Savings Bank of America,
707 SW Main Blvd., Lake City, FL 32055.
Cards and letters of support can be mailed to Woodrow Faulkner at 120 NE Clermont Way, Lake City, FL 32055.
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| Allowing voices to be heard |
LCR-Reader wrote on Apr 2, 2008 9:32 PM: