Support Terri Cannon's Burn Recovery Journey

My name is James Hoodman and I am attempting to raise funds for my mother, Terri Cannon, and her future medical expenses, rehabilitation, and in-home medical care after the accident on Friday, November 15, where my mother received 3rd-degree burns to approximately 20% of her body, 1st and 2nd-degree burns to approximately another 40% of her body, and collapsed, knocking herself unconscious, requiring stitches to her face.

At 10:01, I received a phone call from my mother asking for me to help her. I asked her what was wrong, and her words were, "I blew myself up." Not knowing what I was going to be walking into, I was confused by her choice of words.

I came into the front yard looking around, and then I noticed the garage lights on and doors closed. The smell hit me first as I ran to the garage. Once inside, I found the room choked with smoke and my mother lying 8-10 feet away on the cold cement. She was partially clothed and badly burned, her hair singed, and her hands already blistering and swollen from the fire. I took off my sweater and covered her, turned her to her side, and supported her neck. Breathing and blood pouring from the laceration to her face, she was disoriented and believed herself to be sitting in her chair still.

As I grabbed more blankets and anything to cover her body, I dialed 9-1-1, directing dispatch for our need for EMS. I was still confused about what had happened until I saw the heater flipped on its side and blood spilled next to it. There on the ground with it all were black clumps of what looked like sticky plastic. It was my mom’s dress. It had somehow ignited and caused her injuries.

My mother was transported to Northern Inyo Hospital, where staff decided that her burns were worse and required a care flight to the burn unit at UCLA West Hills, where she is being treated. She is listed in stable but critical condition and has been sedated this entire time. She has received her first skin graft, and hopefully today our family receives good results from her doctor. Her second skin graft is scheduled for this Friday, and her doctor estimated originally that she would possibly need another 6 to 8 surgeries just for the skin grafting. It has taken me four days to even attempt to write this because it hurts. Seeing my mom in her condition, well, it breaks my heart. She is going to be there through Thanksgiving, but she won’t be alone. I’ll make sure of that.

I’m asking anyone that can help to please do. Besides medical expenses that will be incurred along the way, your donations will go towards her rehabilitation, getting her home, getting myself and my stepdad down to her hospital, and everything associated. I’m sorry if I rambled or over-explained anything; I just want y’all to see what I still see and how your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, James Hoodman