Burn Victims Share Stories at Trauma Center

Past patients of the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital came together this week to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the facility. The center works to provide an environment to assist patients in returning to their lives before their accidents. The victims of serious burn injuries came forward to tell their stories.

The Palm Beach Post reports three burn victims recounted their stories. Michael Brewer suffered burn injuries when classmates poured rubbing alcohol on him and lit it on fire in retaliation for one boy's arrest. The burns covered two thirds of his body and he spent several months as an in-patient at the trauma center's burn unit where he underwent reconstructive surgery and skin grafts.

Feride Buch also suffered burn injuries after spilling rubbing alcohol. Cooper Grecco's burn injuries were caused by a high speed car accident. She had pulled over to examine a flat tire when another car hit her at 90 mile an hour. The resulting flames engulfed Grecco and left her with severe burns.

All three burn victims are still working to accept their permanent injuries. Both Buch and Grecco work with other patients with burn injuries at both the Ryder Trauma Center and a summer “burn camp” held in northern Florida. Brewer is still in physical therapy to help his scar tissue adjust to his growing body.