Billie

Billie, burned while playing a game of bamboo sections thrown in a fire.

Billie was playing a popular game with village children in his remote village in North Maluku when the accident occurred. The game is played with bamboo sections that are thrown into a fire. The air inside the sections of the bamboo would expand in the fire and explodes. The children play this dangerous game without a second thought. They just ignore the dangers of this game. Billie had thrown a piece of bamboo in the fire, as his friends looked on, when a piece explodes and landed on his cloths. It took only seconds before his pants were on fire. He rolled on the ground until the flames were out but the burn injury was extensive.

Billie was brought to our clinic where he has been for over a year. He is 12 years old and has scars on both legs. His legs are bent at the knee because of the contractures behind the knees. He receives daily treatment and physical therapy. He stretches his legs in the therapy sessions and is doing relatively well. Billie has a very warm personality. He can be heard singing as you meet him. He looks at you with bright eyes and a brad smile.

A good needs to open for him to receive skin grafting to allow him to walk normally.