Wai Yan is a 19-year-old Burmese man. Six months ago, he suffered severe burns to over half of his body in a work-related accident. He works in a gas station, and as he was moving supplies into a storeroom, an explosion occurred. He received third degree burns on his hands, arms, shoulders, thighs, calves, and feet. Fortunately, his face and head were not injured, and he suffered no pulmonary damage.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a critical care ward at a hospital. He had been heavily medicated for pain, and dressings had been applied to his wounds. Wai Yan was in the hospital for two months. However, the owner of the gas station refused to pay the hospital bill for any longer, and he returned home.
Recently, another humanitarian organization referred Wai Yan to our medical partner. He had largely lost the use of his left hand, and his right hand was restricted in motion. He was capable of walking only at a slow and deliberate pace. He could no longer run or play cane ball, his favorite pastime.
In January 2016, Wai Yan underwent successful surgery on his left hand. Since then, however, his skin had been dry and painful. He could not expose his skin to direct sunlight. Though function in his hand improved after his first surgery, he still lacked control and strength in his fingers. On November 30, he underwent another surgery to release the scarred tissue.
Wai Yan’s parents used to work as laborers in the flower industry, but his mother stopped working to care for him. Their income is not sufficient to cover the cost of healthcare. They need help to fund this $1,500 procedure.
Wai Yan hopes to be able to work again and help his family. “I just want to work for my family so my parents can retire,” he says.
