A New Hand
You would never know the pain he has experienced if you saw his big broad smile. Tison was only 8 when he was showered with kerosene in an accident in his home on a remote island in Indonesia. His burns were extensive and covered both legs, both feet, torso, arms, neck, chin, ears and the right hand. He had limited undamaged skin to use for grafts.
When he was 11 years old he came to Fairbanks, Alaska. An amazing group of medical professionals and the local hospital came together to provide the care and expertise for 19 surgeries. Tison really did well and loved his host family. He also loved chicken nuggets, pizza, snow machines and snow boarding. The biggest challenge was the damage to his right hand. There was a lot of concern about the condition of his hand but we were all so happy with the help he had received. Tison went back to Indonesia after 18 months in the U.S. He was so much better.
He is now 14 years old and has a new open door in Los Angeles. The Grossman Burn Center has agreed to look at treating his hand. This is such a wonderful opportunity. Tison is now in L.A. being evaluated for the first procedure. The plan is for him to be in treatment for the next 9 months. He had the biggest smile when he arrived in the U.S. He knew amazing people would work together to repair his hand