Hi. My name is Michael Bauer.

I was in a fire on 11-19-23. I was working on my pickup trying to get it finished to have transportation to get around. And to also push snow for a company that I have been a subcontractor for since 1996 here in the Des Moines area. I got cold so I went into my storage trailer to warm up with a heat gun (an over grown hair dryer) of which I had hanging at the back of my trailer by the back doors. I was sitting 3-4 ft. away from the heat gun. I fell asleep and woke up with the heat gun in my lap! With my right leg on fire.

I thought I had the fire put out on my leg so I tried to open the back door. As I was trying to get the door open my right leg flamed up again. So I am trying to open the back doors and put the fire out at the same time. I had a chain that was like a security lock so that no one could just open the doors and come in. I was using a generator for electricity for the lights and tool I was using to finish my pickup. So I couldn’t hear if anyone came up or not. An Angel must’ve been with me there. Because I don’t remember taking the chain off. I fell out the back door about 5 ft off the ground. Next to my cooler that I had for food and pop. When I fell to the ground I grabbed the cooler and put the fire out on my leg. I got myself about 150 ft. away from my the trailer. I had 2 big oxygen tanks, and 2 big acetylene tanks that all four were full. I also had 3 LP tanks that had very little in them. I saw my buddy that I had known since I was about 10-11 yrs. old. I yelled out his name and passed out from the pain. I woke up in Iowa City burn unit with my sister being in my room with me. I was told that I had 3 rd. degree burns on my right hand finger tips and on my right leg. I would have to have a skin graft on my right leg. And that if I didn’t have as much calluses, I’m my right fingertips they would’ve either needed to be skin grafted or possible amputation. I was burnt on my right leg from my ankle to my hip. I spent 6 weeks in the burn unit in Iowa City. Before they pretty much kicked me out of the hospital with no place to go. And using a walker to get around wen I am walking. And made me spend my $350.00 that the loving Red Cross gave to me for emergency spending on a motel room. I have had some very very kind people who has stepped forward and paid for my motel room until 1-24-24 that I am staying at for now. Until I can find/get and afford a place. lost everything that I had in my whole life. From clothing to tools that I used when someone needed a handyman. Tools that I had to work on Automobiles. Tools that I had to fix just about anything. I lost my transportation. I am in financial need recovering medical cost that my health insurance doesn’t cover.

I need help with replacing my transportation that burnt up in the fire. I have no way of getting these things that I so desperately need asap.

I am not one to ever ask for help. I am the one that’s usually helping everyone else.

If you could find it in your heart to help me out with something Would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. God bless you.

Michael Bauer