On June 20th, our lives changed in an instant.
My husband, Samuel Hess, was tending a burn barrel that had been safely burning wood for over an hour in our backyard in New Market, Maryland, when it unexpectedly exploded. The explosion caused devastating burns to 21% of his body and multiple deep lacerations, all requiring multiple surgeries, along with head trauma, emotional and physical trauma, and an uncertain recovery process. He was airlifted by helicopter and currently receiving treatment at John Hopkins BICU.
In just a matter of moments, our family went from a normal summer evening to facing the unthinkable. We are a family of six with four young children, and I am currently home caring for them while my husband remains hospitalized. Doctors have told us he will face weeks in the ICU, multiple procedures, extensive rehabilitation, and a long recovery before he can return home and work. Beyond the emotional trauma of nearly losing him, we are now facing overwhelming financial uncertainty. My husband does not currently have health insurance, and the costs associated with specialized burn care, surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, medications, and lost income are expected to be significant.
Our children are also struggling to process what happened. They were home at the time, witnessed the aftermath of the explosion, my husband’s injuries, and are trying to understand why their dad is suddenly gone and fighting through such a difficult recovery. We are asking for help to ease the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time. Donations will help cover emergency medical expenses and burn treatment, future surgeries, rehabilitation, recovery needs, household bills and living expenses while my husband is unable to work, transportation, meals, and lodging expenses related to his care, and support for our children during this traumatic time.
Sam is 27 years old, born in Albany, and spent most of his childhood in Erie, PA. He graduated from McDowell High school in 2017. We have been together since we were just 17 years old, and I have had the privilege of watching him grow into the incredible husband, father, and friend that he is today. If you know my husband, you know that he’s never met a stranger, and he would quite literally give the shirt off of his back for someone in need.
Every decision he makes is with us in mind. He puts everyone else’s needs before his own, works tirelessly to provide for our family, and never hesitates to sacrifice his own comfort to make sure we are cared for. He is our protector, our provider, and the steady foundation of our home.
Watching someone as strong as my husband endure something so devastatingly painful has been extremely heartbreaking and just very difficult to put into words. But, I know Sam, and I know that he will continue fighting with the same determination and selflessness that he has always shown everyone around him.
This terrible accident has completely flipped our world upside down, and the uncertainty of it all is overwhelming. In a matter of seconds, our family went from planning for the future to taking life one day at a time. As we navigate the weeks and months ahead, we are facing challenges far beyond the medical crisis itself. We currently do not have a vehicle, Sam does not have health insurance, and I am caring for our four young children on my own while trying to be there for him through his recovery. We are hours away from much of our family and support system, making an already impossible situation feel even more isolating. Right now, we don’t know what the future holds. What we do know is that Sam’s road to recovery will very be long, painful, and filled with many obstacles. The emotional, physical, and financial weight of this tragedy is more than our family can carry alone. If you are able to help in any way possible- a donation, a share, or simply keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers—we will be forever grateful. Every act of kindness, small or big, gives up hope and reminds us that we are not alone in this!
Thank you so much for reading, and please share with anywhere that you can!