The True Toll of an Accident Survivor
Recently in my construction safety class I had to watch the video titled “Remember Charlie.” Charlie is a surviving burn victim, and his accident left more scars than just the ones on his skin. Charlie worked at an Exxon Oil refinery as a simple technician. He was working overtime one night, and it was relatively easy going evening. However he got a call that he had to reset something down in the refinery. Now he wanted to get this job done as quick as possible. To do so quickly and comfortably, he skipped some safety precautions and did not wear his safety gear. Long story short because of him cutting corners, he was nearly burned to death when things went south due to his lack of safety.
Charlie’s body was over 60% burned and nearly died because of it. He was rushed to the burn unit and would stay in the hospital recovering for months. According to FamilyDoctor.org
Third-degree burns usually take a very long time to heal.
So there is no guaranteed time in how long it will take for your body to fully recover from a third-degree burns. Charlie said that “it felt like a lifetime” and that “he couldn’t wait to get out of there.”
But eventually Charlie got out, and was able to get home. You would assume that his life would go back to normal wouldn’t you? However his life would never be the same after his terrible accident. He and his wife would divorce soon after. Both daughters would go into therapy from all of the emotions that took place. His father passed away from a heart attack right after the accident.
When we hear in the paper or the news about someones surviving a terrible accident, we think in our head “oh at least he/she will be okay once they get home.” But that is not the case at all. Charlie lost the life he once had because of a stupid decision to cut corners to get the job done, ignoring safety. When people get in accident, there is more scares than just what meets the eye.
Sources:
First Aid: Burns. (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/staying-healthy/first-aid/first-aid-burns.html
M. (2013, April 25). Happy on the outside sad on the inside. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://www.thoughtsonlifeandlove.com/happy-on-the-outside-sad-on-the-inside/