Grossman Burn Centers News

Grossman Burn Center Holds Second Annual Survivor Picnic

05.22.11

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Kern County Firefighter Burn Survivor Trust and the Grossman Burn Center held a summer picnic on Sunday for burn survivors and their families.

The picnic was held not only to celebrate survivors, but to also create a support system for those who have faced the same difficult challenges that come with this kind of trauma.

Kern County Fire Captain Steve Pendergrass is a husband, father, and also a burn survivor.

"I burned 30 percent of my body," said Pendergrass. "Twenty-five percent was third degree. Five percent was second-degree."

Several years ago, Pendergrass was frying a Christmas turkey at his home when something went terribly wrong.

"I don't know exactly what happened," said Pendergrass. "The next thing I knew there was fire all around me. I pulled back, and the oil came under the ground. I slipped and fell and landed on my back."

While Pendergrass was not treated at Grossman Burn Center, stories like his are all too common, which is some something the staff was even surprised to find out.

"What has been a shock for all of us is the number of burn injuries we're seeing every year," said Darci Reed, program coordinator for the Grossman Burn Center. "We're averaging about a burn a day, so 350 burn injuries a year."

One of those burn injuries seen at Grossman was Johnathon Anglin.

"In September 2010, we were at work when a line actually burst, a steam line," said Anglin. "It burned 85 percent of my body."

Now, 28 surgeries and eight months later, Anglin is just beginning to recover.

"It's been a pretty rough road, and (I've) been going through a lot of therapy," said Anglin. "I still more surgeries to come."

Anglin said events like Sunday's helps him heal.

"Its really emotional and depressing too," said Anglin. "It's nice to have people come together like this and help them through this."

Pendergrass agreed.

"You need to mix with people who have been through this process, who know what you're going through, who know what tomorrow is going to be, who know what 30 years is going to be," said Pendergrass.

Both are also aware of the long road ahead.

"There's a lot of pain in the healing process," said Pendergrass. "The healing process is a lifelong process. It doesn't just end."

Original article: Central Bakersfield News - KERO Bakersfield        « Back to News