Burn Survivor Story: Ron Thompson

(Courtesy of the Phoenix Society and Steve Lobel, author of "Recognition Beyond Burned: Portraits of Survival, Rebirth & Hope")

Until the night of February 22, 1984 , I was an average 16-year-old. I was in high school. I liked playing sports and hanging out with friends. On that night, I went riding around with my girlfriend’s brother. We met some of his friends and decided to drag race. We passed a slow-moving vehicle on a curve and couldn’t see the oncoming pickup truck. We hit head on. The engine was pushed into my lap, breaking my right leg near my hip and trapping me in the car, which then caught fire. I put my hands up to protect my face. It got so hot the dashboard melted and dripped onto my leg. The flames were getting me. The rescue people had to wait until the fire was out to free me with the Jaws of Life. By this time I had been burned over thirty-five percent of my body. I had third- and fourth-degree burns on my chest and back, on the right side of my face and head, and on my right arm and left hand. I lost part of the fingers on my left hand and some vision in my right eye. The fire took my right ear and my right arm just below the elbow. I also lost the rest of my childhood. I spent three months in a hospital, three months in rehab, and twenty-one-years-and-counting undergoing more than a hundred surgeries and working to recover physically and emotionally.

It’s a hard road, but I’m glad I survived. I’m married, and have four children and a grandson. I’m still trying to get the truck-driving job of my dreams. For the most part I lead a normal life. Dealing with depression is an ongoing concern. For many years I felt very lonely, struggling with how others saw and accepted me. Along with the support of my family, friends and community, it’s been very important for me to have a connection with the Phoenix Society and others who have been burned. I continue to feel the stares from those who are curious, those who are shocked, and those who are scared by what they see. I try to use these opportunities to educate others in understanding and compassion.

My name is Ron Thompson.

2 inspirational people to me

As I wrestled with going back to the burn unit last night to visit with Hally (I decided against it because she needs her rest) I reflected on 2 influential people that played a part in my desire to go back to the hospital - Bobby Orr (awesome Boston Bruin in the 70's and 80's) and my father, Patrick. Bobby Orr frequently visited the local children's hospital after a game in whatever town he was playing in, bringing sticks, shirts, toys, and stuffed animals to ALL of the sick kids. All while his teamates were out doing whatever sports stars do. I met Orr at a North Quincy, MA Xmas parade in 1984. My dad brought me over to shake his hand and I still remember it like it was yesterday. He had very kind eyes.

My dad has always taught me by example to be generous, with time, words, and money. I am thankful to have known both of these men, and hope that I can be just as good a father to Sean and Catherine as my father is to me.

El pregunta de la dia/question of the day

What's the most bizarre thing you've ever been asked by a complete stranger?

Well, besides that.

Ulysses, KS

Thanks WFD for feeding me for 2 days and letting me on run the Engine and Squad with you. Thanks again for your generous donation to this fundraiser, and also to you Raymond from Lebanon. I started the day off with an alarm that turned out to be nothing. I had my usual breakfast: glass of water, 3 cups of coffee (sugar and milk), bowl of oatmeal w/ brown sugar (no raisins today), 6 egg whites (cooked), 2 bananas (peeled). I finished my laundry and worked out for a while.

After taking a long shower (I really miss my Braun razor, the Mach 3 can't hold a candle) I hit the road around 9:30. I added some extra miles to my trip today because highway 54 is still shut down at Greensburg. I saw what the same tornado did a little north of there on hwy 56. I have never seen anything like tornado damage. Trees were freakin' everywhere, signs flipped over, trees snapped like toothpicks, and irrigation equipment twisted up. Pretty trippy.

I can't send pics today because I don't have any cell service, hopefully tomorrow. Today, I rode on the longest, straightest, most desolate roads I've ever been on. I would think a vehicle was approaching soon on the horizon and wait to pass, but they were like a mile away. During the last 30 miles of my trip today I saw only 3 cars, either direction, until I got here to Ulysses. I went a total of 255 miles today. I passed a cattle processing facility (check out the book "Fast Food Nation") in Dodge City (which has a Ford dealership) today. Picture and smell 100,000 head of cattle in the hot sun with a tailwind. YO, absolutely disgusting. But to some I guess that's the smell of money. I also saw a HUGE wind farm and lots of vegetables growing. Well, I didn't exactly observe them growing although I'm sure they were. They really just looked like they were still. I'm finding out the wind is always blowing in KS, about 15-20 mph out of the SW, all the time. Feels like a hair dryer in the afternoon sun.

Ulysses is a town like Germantown but much newer, settled around 1890 (my house was 76 yrs old at that time and my grandfather was 4), 5k people and a separate fire and EMS division. They are the only FD in the whole county of 10k people, which covers 575 square miles. Things are a little different here in KS. I just got back from the grocery store and everyone knew I was not from Ulysses, did the Hemp Chuck Taylors give it away??? The record definitely skipped when I walked in. People in KS are VERY VERY nice and super conversational.

Well, were having a BBQ tonight at the EMS station where I'm staying, the FD doesn't have a bunk room. I'm off to Trinidad, CO tomorrow and feel like wetting my whistle - maybe they'll have a local ale or porter on tap, yum! I'm told I'll wish I were on the roads I rode on today after I head west. Local lore has it that eastern CO is a moonscape with less scenery.

To the owner of the Harley - I'm taking good care of her and have not passed gas on your seat. Now that's respect! Although, I can't say what I did to the tailpipe. Thanks again Scott.

-Mike

This is why I'm doing this ride

From www.thesecretlist.com - A Fulton County (Georgia) firefighter was killed this morning while operating at a house fire. The Firefighter died from injuries he sustained while attempting to rescue a trapped victim in a 2 story residence in the City of Johns Creek. The fire began at 0500 and at this time, the Firefighter hasn't been publicly identified. Another Firefighter was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital (in Atlanta), where he was listed in guarded condition with burn injuries. Fulton County Firefighters were searching the home for civilians reported inside the house....at least 1 civilian is reported to have lost their life.Details to follow as they become available later this evening.

St. Francis Burn Unit, Wichita

Just returned from the burn unit at St. Francis. A great team of Dr's and nurses gave me a tour. Rhonda, Sara, Doug, and Lynnette do a fantastic job with patient care. I met with Tony, a burn patient there. Tony is President of the Tonkawa Tribe in OK, who are originally from Texas, and signed the FF Harley. Tony is a super cool guy and is happy to be in the burn survivor community/club and we're happy to welcome him. Tony also donated 2 new Harleys for the hospital's fundraiser "Poker Run" this week, what a guy.

I also met with Hally, a six year old girl who is recovering well. I hope you like your cars Hally. Remember, it's easier to be like Spongebob than Squidward. PLEASE keep Hally in your thoughts and prayers at this complicated time in her life. I wish I could trade places with her. Too bad there isn't an easy button for that.

No two 911 calls are the same - this story is testament to that. We responded to a reported house/kitchen fire this AM. As it turns out, we suspect a couple hundred roaches completed a 220volt circuit in the resident's stove and fried the wires. To complicate things we found out that Raid is highly flammable. jk

I'm going out tonight with some folks from the hospital to check out Wichita away from the fire station. Then it's off to Ulysses, KS tomorrow. Yee haw!

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Prior to this trip, I had slept at only 3 different firehouses in my life, which had below zero temps in the bunkroom. Now that I've slept at more: WHY DO BUNKROOMS HAVE TO BE SO COLD??? I like it chilly but I feel like I'm at an Everest base camp sometimes. Your thoughts???????

I'm out, and I'm gone......I tell you now I kick it on and on!

Images from the Road: Wichita, KS Con't (From Mike's Cell Phone)