Just in time for Justin
Donation protected
We were like any group of family and friends on the 4th of July, gathered for fun, food, friendship, and fireworks. Justin Cummings, whom is often mistaken for one of our own children, and who happens to not only work for us, but rent from us too, took it upon himself to join in with my husband Ken and other uworker/renter/ friend Ed, in lighting and setting off fireworks. Justin ultimately became the sole igniter of our fireworks display. Justin was doing a fine job of it too, lining the canisters up, lighting them at just the right intervals, until, when as he relates, out of the corner of his eye, he saw sparks where there shouldn’t have been any. By then, his attempt to scurry from the path of the oncoming mortar prompted him to sheid his face with the only thing quickly available to him....his dominant left hand.
As bystanders enjoying the show, we had no idea something had happened. Justin in all his calm, held his hand in tight to his gut. Even in the looming darkness, we could see the bright red wetness of his shirt leading most of us at first to believe he had sustained significant injury to his gut. With so many young folk around, even in his distress, Justin didn’t scream but merely kept repeating “Kenny, something is wrong, something is really wrong.” We led him into the house where the exact nature of his injury was revealed to us (we have to admit, we were some thankful it wasn’t his gut).
I could relate the full description of just what we saw and heard, but I will spare you the trauma. Instead, I will tell you, we wrapped his hand in a towel and got that young man into my car just as fast as we could; had his girl get in the back and made our way to our local hospital in record time.
For as unlucky an incident this seems, everything that follows is nothing short of blessing upon blessing. We made it to the hospital in under 10 min, that’s appx a mile a minute. The light was green, the traffic was light. The admitting nurse too had had a dismembered finger or two so was able to relate to Justin, like him, how he too will have a good life.
Justin was transported from Norway to Portland via ambulance. They were able to reattach his dislocated broken thumb, they amputated the remaining bone from his left index finger, and splinted his left broken middle finger. He sustained multiple burns on his hand as well. Justin’s biggest fear is that he will be unable to draw and write like he used to. Justin reports he has been unable to consume red meat since the accident.
We submitted a claim to our homeowners policy. Because of the unfortunate accidental nature of this injury, our homeowners granted a mere $1000 to Justin.
We suspended his rent. We’re doing our best to provide him with 20 hrs worth of paycheck for him weekly until our work runs out. We will do our best to help him while we can. In the meantime, where Justin is a low income seasonal laborer, he’s also applied for free or reduced fee medical care.
This campaign then is to help with getting Justin through the winter, his healing process and his transition to his new way of feeling the world. We figure approximately 10 months at$1500/ month will take care of whatever needs may arise, as well as take care of the emergency room bills and subsequent doctor/physical therapy appointments.
On behalf of Justin, we thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion.
As bystanders enjoying the show, we had no idea something had happened. Justin in all his calm, held his hand in tight to his gut. Even in the looming darkness, we could see the bright red wetness of his shirt leading most of us at first to believe he had sustained significant injury to his gut. With so many young folk around, even in his distress, Justin didn’t scream but merely kept repeating “Kenny, something is wrong, something is really wrong.” We led him into the house where the exact nature of his injury was revealed to us (we have to admit, we were some thankful it wasn’t his gut).
I could relate the full description of just what we saw and heard, but I will spare you the trauma. Instead, I will tell you, we wrapped his hand in a towel and got that young man into my car just as fast as we could; had his girl get in the back and made our way to our local hospital in record time.
For as unlucky an incident this seems, everything that follows is nothing short of blessing upon blessing. We made it to the hospital in under 10 min, that’s appx a mile a minute. The light was green, the traffic was light. The admitting nurse too had had a dismembered finger or two so was able to relate to Justin, like him, how he too will have a good life.
Justin was transported from Norway to Portland via ambulance. They were able to reattach his dislocated broken thumb, they amputated the remaining bone from his left index finger, and splinted his left broken middle finger. He sustained multiple burns on his hand as well. Justin’s biggest fear is that he will be unable to draw and write like he used to. Justin reports he has been unable to consume red meat since the accident.
We submitted a claim to our homeowners policy. Because of the unfortunate accidental nature of this injury, our homeowners granted a mere $1000 to Justin.
We suspended his rent. We’re doing our best to provide him with 20 hrs worth of paycheck for him weekly until our work runs out. We will do our best to help him while we can. In the meantime, where Justin is a low income seasonal laborer, he’s also applied for free or reduced fee medical care.
This campaign then is to help with getting Justin through the winter, his healing process and his transition to his new way of feeling the world. We figure approximately 10 months at$1500/ month will take care of whatever needs may arise, as well as take care of the emergency room bills and subsequent doctor/physical therapy appointments.
On behalf of Justin, we thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion.
Organizer
Ken Tina Thurston
Organizer
Oxford, ME
