Burned at 5, Lost his Dad at 12, Montana Youth Needs Help

NOTE: We have adjusted our goal to $35,000 because we have learned that there is no carryover when a major medical treatment has started just before the end of a plan year even though the patient's needs will continue after a new plan year with a new $12,000 deductible has begun. Rebecca will have to pay TWO $12,000 deductibles for Mordachi's one surgery & post surgery care.

Please see the April 20 & April 25, 2024 updates for more details.

On July 4, 2013 our 5 year old grandson Mordachi Fronek was seriously burned in a bizarre fireworks accident that caused 3rd degree burns on his entire chest, the full length of both arms and backs of both hands, 2nd degree burns across his neck and 1st degree on his face. Although Mordachi was sitting 60’ away from the launch site, the bottom of the commercially produced launching tube blew out. The tube fell over causing the firework ball to launch horizontally and directly hit his chest. In critical condition, he was airlifted along with his mom from their home in Montana to the University of Utah’s Burn Center in Salt Lake City (SLC), where he was stabilized then underwent extensive skin grafting procedures. Mordachi lost the nerve endings, sweat glands and hair follicles on his chest, arms and backs of his hands.

Even with years of physical therapy and wearing compression garments, thick tight scar tissue formed and is affecting his growth and function. Mordachi now needs surgery on June 13, 2024 to release the scar tissue constrictions on both his arms and the sides of his chest plus cut the webbing between his fingers. The procedure and after-care will require him and his mom to return to the Burn Center for 6 weeks of combined inpatient and outpatient treatment. Hotel costs for 6 weeks are prohibitive so we plan to use a short-term rental.

A major factor in us setting up this GoFundMe page is that Mordachi’s dad unexpectedly died at 47 years old in October 2020 from a brain hemorrhage, leaving his mom a widow with 4 children and a mortgage. Mom works 2 part time jobs to equal 40hours but will have 6 weeks of lost wages during Mordachi’s hospitalization and recovery plus her health insurance plan has a high $12,000 annual deductible. Our extended family has been able to cover their last 3 three-day trips to the Burn Center for surface scar treatments, but the costs related to Mordachi’s upcoming surgery are more than we can absorb alone. Without your help, his surgery will have to be cancelled.

Due to concerns about infection and wound damage plus extensive physical therapy, Mordachi was unable to start kindergarten for the 2013-14 school year. He is now a 15-year-old freshman at Bozeman High School. Despite being burned and then losing his dad while in the midst of remote school due to the pandemic, Mordachi is an outgoing and kind young man with many friends and does well in school. He doesn’t give up and we ask that you support him in continuing to move forward.

Our working class family has experienced very challenging times since the death of Mordachi’s dad and we are reaching out now because we need your help. Our goal of $35,000 will go towards the expenses for:

• This summer’s travel to and 6 weeks stay in Salt Lake City

• His mom’s lost wages when they must be away from home

• This plan year’s $12,000 deductible (9/1/23-8/31/24)

• Costs of Mordachi's post surgery needs- bandages, custom fitted & sewn compression garments, custom fitted splints, physical therapy. These needs will occur AFTER the end of the current insurance plan year. Rebecca will have to pay a new $12,000 deductible as of 9/1/24. Mordachi's needs will go on for months after surgery.

Thank You!

Bonnie Buckingham, Grandma