John's Sloat's Journey
Donation protected
On July 10th of this year, my brother, longtime Norwood resident, John Sloat became the victim of a horrific electrical fire. In addition to losing literally all of his possessions and his home, he almost lost his life but has been defying the odds since that day. Although he remains in Westchester Medical Center (WMC), there is finally hope that he has endured the last of 11 surgeries and there is talk of him being transferred to a long term care facility as soon as November.
The injuries he sustained in the fire were extreme. He suffered 3rd degree burns over 55% of his body as well as severe lung trauma. On the day of the fire we were informed he was being transported to Westchester Medical Center, so we knew it was serious. Upon my arrival at the ER, I was met by a priest and taken to a private room, which confirmed the direness of John’s status.
In burn patients, there is what is called a Baux score, which is a system used to predict the chance of mortality due to burns. If a burn patient’s Baux score is more than 140 to 150 there is little to no hope for survival. John’s score was a whopping 135 so that shows how much he has been and is fighting and has clearly defied the odds.
Since the day of the fire John has fought hard for his life. He has had his left leg amputated above the knee. The surgeons had to amputate all of his fingers on his right hand as well as two on his left. Both thumbs were also amputated but John continues to fight. He was on a ventilator for 2 ½ months and had a tracheostomy so still has the trach tube and can only speak in a raspy whisper. He has a feeding tube and hasn’t eaten solid food since the day of the fire.
As it appears we may be nearing the end of his stay in the Burn Unit at WMC, I am reaching out to ask for help for him. As I mentioned, he lost literally everything in the fire. He does not believe in banks, so unfortunately all of his cash went up in flames. Right now, he doesn’t own as much as a sock.
The plan is for him to transfer to a facility where he will undergo intense physical and occupational therapy. He’ll be fitted with a prosthetic leg and will learn how to walk. He will also undergo speech therapy and will learn to eat and speak again.
As you can imagine, the cost of a 3+ month hospital stay in a critical care unit will be astronomical. He will require special care for the foreseeable future and of course, will never be able to work again.
Although I have applied for permanent disability on his behalf, the process will take months and John has no income, no possessions and no place to live. I’m hoping to raise enough money to get him back on his feet (or foot!?) once he is finally able to be released.
Any funds raised will of course go towards his medical bills and also to eventually secure a handicapped accessible house or apartment, along with clothing, furniture, etc. Anything that you can contribute will help and If you are unable to donate, please simply keep John in your thoughts and prayers!
The injuries he sustained in the fire were extreme. He suffered 3rd degree burns over 55% of his body as well as severe lung trauma. On the day of the fire we were informed he was being transported to Westchester Medical Center, so we knew it was serious. Upon my arrival at the ER, I was met by a priest and taken to a private room, which confirmed the direness of John’s status.
In burn patients, there is what is called a Baux score, which is a system used to predict the chance of mortality due to burns. If a burn patient’s Baux score is more than 140 to 150 there is little to no hope for survival. John’s score was a whopping 135 so that shows how much he has been and is fighting and has clearly defied the odds.
Since the day of the fire John has fought hard for his life. He has had his left leg amputated above the knee. The surgeons had to amputate all of his fingers on his right hand as well as two on his left. Both thumbs were also amputated but John continues to fight. He was on a ventilator for 2 ½ months and had a tracheostomy so still has the trach tube and can only speak in a raspy whisper. He has a feeding tube and hasn’t eaten solid food since the day of the fire.
As it appears we may be nearing the end of his stay in the Burn Unit at WMC, I am reaching out to ask for help for him. As I mentioned, he lost literally everything in the fire. He does not believe in banks, so unfortunately all of his cash went up in flames. Right now, he doesn’t own as much as a sock.
The plan is for him to transfer to a facility where he will undergo intense physical and occupational therapy. He’ll be fitted with a prosthetic leg and will learn how to walk. He will also undergo speech therapy and will learn to eat and speak again.
As you can imagine, the cost of a 3+ month hospital stay in a critical care unit will be astronomical. He will require special care for the foreseeable future and of course, will never be able to work again.
Although I have applied for permanent disability on his behalf, the process will take months and John has no income, no possessions and no place to live. I’m hoping to raise enough money to get him back on his feet (or foot!?) once he is finally able to be released.
Any funds raised will of course go towards his medical bills and also to eventually secure a handicapped accessible house or apartment, along with clothing, furniture, etc. Anything that you can contribute will help and If you are unable to donate, please simply keep John in your thoughts and prayers!
Organizer
Cynthia Kucera
Organizer
Westwood, NJ