Graduation day at McClatchy High School in Sacramento held a significance beyond the ordinary: It was a triumph against the odds. Despite the prognosis that once confined him to a hospital bed, Tommy defied expectations, emerging stronger and more determined than ever.
A few months before graduation, on a dark and rainy evening, Tommy crashed his vehicle into a tree near a baseball field.
Tommy found himself trapped in the wreckage, surrounded by flames. Yet, in the chaos of destruction, the valiant efforts of first responders who battled against time to free him saved his life.
After being transported to UC Davis Medical Center, Tommy's ordeal was far from over. It was there that David Greenhalgh, M.D., offered a lifeline: admittance into Shriners Children’s Northern California’s Neil Reitman Pediatric Burn Institute.
Being a burn survivor has prepared me for life. Thanks to Shriners Children’s, I know I can do anything.
For six weeks, Tommy was in a medically induced coma and woke up at Shriners Children’s Northern California’s ICU. His hands and legs were badly burned, needing surgery to save them. His injuries resulted in him losing his right leg and fingertips. Tommy underwent over 20 surgeries with David G. Greenhalgh, M.D., and the burn team, including multiple skin grafts on his legs.
A skin graft is the removal and placement of the patient’s healthy, unburned skin (donor site) on the area of the burn. They are highly effective in closing acute wounds quickly to help regulate body temperature, prevent infection, and allow for proper body fluids to continue functioning. In Tommy’s case, skin collected from his back was used on his legs.
Tommy also received a tissue expander under his skull to assist with skin grafting. A tissue expander is an implant that is inserted under the skin and gradually filled with saline or carbon dioxide over time, causing the skin to stretch and grow. This excess skin is then taken and used to graft an injured area.
Tommy’s accident occurred near the end of his senior year of high school. One of his physical therapy (PT) goals was to walk during graduation with his high school class. As an active teenager, he played water polo and baseball for his high school and missed both due to his injuries. He had one goal: Walk the stage at graduation.
This was not an easy objective to meet. When he was admitted to the hospital, doctors told him he wouldn’t be able to walk for at least a year. After surgery, he had to wear tight pressure garments for six to nine months. But, after countless hours of PT and perseverance, he was out of the hospital in 4 1/2 months and achieved his goal of walking with the rest of his class to receive his high school diploma.
“A huge shout out to my PT, Gill,” said Tommy. “She got me out of bed and walking. My [occupational therapist], Brian, also played a huge part in my recovery. I also really liked all of my nurses; the patient care was so good.”
Fast forwarding to 2024, Tommy is now active with the Firefighters Burn Institute (FFBI) as a civilian advisory board member. FFBI works to provide burn survivors with support, resources and recovery programs; support burn treatment and rehabilitation research; and provide fire and burn prevention education. Tommy has been going to their Little Heroes Family Burn Camp for young burn survivors since 2013, and now is a lead counselor and part of the planning committee for the camp.
“Burn survivors are special,” he said. “I tell that to all of the kids.”
Now more than ever, his zest for life is unquenchable.
“Being a burn survivor has prepared me for life,” Tommy said. “Thanks to Shriners Children’s, I know I can do anything.”
Tommy poses with his family on graduation day.
Tommy a couple of months after his accident.
Tommy shares his experience with a Shriner as one of the regional Patient Ambassadors.
Tommy in front of the hospital building at the Northern California location.
