Tuesday December 25, 2007
Toddler burned in house fire on her way to recovery
from the Daily Mail
 
 
Allyssa Abner’s condition is steadily improving at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati. Abner has been there since she sustained second- and third-degree burns in a November house fire. ..
 
 
 
 
A 2-year-old burn victim's courage and determination are keeping a devastated family in good spirits throughout the holiday season.
Allyssa Abner, a girl from Rand who sustained second- and third-degree burns over more than half of her body in a house fire, has helped turn her potential tragedy into triumph for her family.
Allyssa was burned when a space heater caused her home to catch fire the morning after Thanksgiving. A family friend and volunteer firefighter found her trapped in an upstairs bedroom, unconscious and unresponsive. She was airlifted to the burn unit at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati. Her initial prognosis was grim and her family prepared for the worst.
But now, after several surgeries, the toddler is recovering nicely.
She's in good spirits and finally able to open her eyes and even flash a smile on her badly burned face, said Michelle, her 23-year-old mother.
Allyssa has endured several skin grafts that have taken new skin from her scalp, legs, back and buttocks to cover her scorched face and torso.
Every time she comes out of surgery, her body must be rewrapped, and that is very painful for her, Michelle said.
"I know my baby is strong or she wouldn't have made it this far," she said.
Recently, she spoke her first words with the help of a tracheal cap, Michelle said.
"She called me a punk, so that's good," she said. "She smiles and makes faces at us; she's in good spirits."
Michelle hasn't left her daughter's side throughout the painstaking process of surgeries, bandaging and skin grafts.
Allyssa's determination has helped Michelle and the rest of the family stay strong throughout the trying process.
The last month has almost been too much for Michelle, as she has been forced to watch helplessly as her daughter suffers through unimaginable pain.
Last week, Michelle was finally able to provide her motherly touch during a treatment.
"I got to help while they changed her wrap," she said. "It made me feel like I was actually doing something. I got to hold her for the first time and see her body for the first time, which was upsetting. I got to curl up beside her until she fell asleep."
Although Michelle, Allyssa and older sister Autumn won't be back in their West Virginia home for the holidays, they are happy for where they have landed.
"If this had to have happened, I'm happy we are here," Michelle said referring to the Cincinnati hospital. "They really are awesome."
Last week, the 30-bed hospital held a Christmas drive where all the children who got out of their hospital beds got play money to use for toys. The event was to raise the spirits of the children and let them know the holidays continue whether they are inside a hospital or not, Michelle said.
Because Allyssa's injuries are too severe for her to make it out of bed, some of the other children shopped on her behalf, she said.
"Little Chucky, whose mother I have become friends with, did the shopping," she said. "She got some baby keys and a jack in the box. They found an Ariel the Mermaid Barbie doll. She really likes that one. She sleeps with it."
Fortunately, Michelle hadn't done any Christmas shopping when the flames ravaged their home. She has done some in her spare time in Ohio.
"I took $100 for my kids and little sister, Colleen," she said. "I got them some makeup and some DVDs. I got Allyssa a kitchen and a pillow."
She was able to spend money on presents for her family because Shriners Hospital has afforded her that luxury.
Shriners hospitals provide free medical care to children, and are able to do so through donations. Because of this, the Abners will not be hindered by medical bills. Michelle also has been given $70 per week for food and received free hotel rooms for visiting family.
"They have just been great to us," she said. "Everything is free. They do totally free child care."
Even with the progress Allyssa has made, doctors say she is still not out of danger. Doctors have updated her condition from critical to serious.
"She is still on oxygen," she said. "They have lowered the amount, but she still bottoms out occasionally."
She will endure several more operations, and doctors said they would not be satisfied until Allyssa could walk out of the hospital.
Michelle said they have finally been given a projected date, if everything goes well, that they will be able to return home.
"Beginning in mid-February they think we'll be able to come home," she said. "I'm ready to come home. I don't like it here, not because of the staff, but because it's not home."
Allyssa's impressive recovery has rallied her family for the holidays. The now-ruined house was a home to Allyssa's grandparents, aunt, mom and sister. The family lost most of their possessions.
They still consider themselves lucky because Allyssa is still alive, and they admire her courage.
Donation drives have been set up at three Kanawha County businesses.
Monetary donations as well as toys, clothes and household items are greatly appreciated. Rand Volunteer Fire Department and Ravenswood Insurance Center are collecting the donations, and Wesbanco Bank at 6409 Sissonville Drive is collecting financial contributions to fix up the family home at the fund "Frogs for Allyssa" in check or money order form only.
"Allyssa always likes frogs," Michelle said.