7 News Belize

Burn Victim Damari Comes Home Smiling
posted (December 6, 2010)
Exactly four months ago on August 6th - three females were positioning a television antenna in the northern village of Estrella. The antenna was too close to the power line, and 41 year old Leticia Vidal was electrocuted while her 14 year old niece Damari Tesecum and friend 36 year old Rosaura Mai received serious shock-related burns.

Damari had to be flown abroad for treatment - and we've been following her progress with regular updates on this newscast. She returned to Belize today and Monica Bodden was at the airport:…

Monica Bodden reporting
She came off the plane in a wheel chair -after 4 months of surgeries and therapy - there was no better feeling for 14 year old Damai Tesecum - than when she was reunited with her family this afternoon at the international airport.

Damari Tesecum - Burnt Victim
"Sweet home, it feels really good, I was in a place that was totally different for me and now being back home its really good, it makes me happier."

14 year old girl Damari received serious burns to 45 percent of her body when an antenna she was helping to adjust - came in contact with a high tension electrical wire.

With the help of the burn victim fund she was flown out the country and was hospitalized at Shirner's Children hospital in Galveston Texas - where she spent 4 months undergoing treatment.

Rosalinda Tesecum - Mother
"When we reach there she went immediately into surgery, she had surgeries and she had really big open wounds and as a matter of fact I have videos and pictures of it and it was horrible - the open wounds that she had. She lost her leg and her index finger as well. They tried to save it but it was impossible."

Damari Tesecum - Burnt Victim
"The treatment over there is really good, the doctors, the nurses, the instructors - everyone is really professionals."

Rosalinda Tesecum - Mother
"We had many bumps, many mountains to climb sometimes we thought she is getting better, but then we start all over again, it was really hard. She did like 1 month and 4 days in the ICU. She did 10 surgeries, she need to go back in March to do reconstructive surgery - a release on her leg because if she doesn't get that release she will have problems walking. She will also need in the years - she will be growing and the bone in her leg will be growing and the flesh wont grow with it so she will need to go back to take surgery so that they can shave down her leg so that she can use a prosthetic leg and walk all over again."

Despite losing one of her index finger and a leg - this teenager is still optimistic about life and walking again.

Damari Tesecum - Burnt Victim
"At Shriners, they gave me a prosthetic leg, so I am not good at it yet, so I have to walk a lot with it and continue walking like nothing happen."

And seeing their family for the first time in 4 months - was quite an overwhelming experience for the mother and daughter.

Damari Tesecum - Burnt Victim
"4 months without being home, I got a little home sick."

Rosalinda Tesecum - Mother
"It's really nice, it's really good, happy to be reunited again because we were never separated for so long and I even see my daughter got bigger. it's really nice being back home."

And for their family, similar sentiments were shared.

Carmen Medina - Aunt
"Really we reach a little late, we didn't have that opportunity to see her coming off from the plane but when we reach here at the airport and we saw everybody, and when we saw her it was a great joy."

Monica Bodden "She looks way better than how she look in the hospital bed months ago?"

Carmen Medina - Aunt
"She looks far better, I mean on the day it happen to now, she looks much better that what she look like first."

Sarai Tesecum - Sister
"I was so excited I didn't know what to do. Right now we are going home and I want to do a surprise for her. I am so excited; I don't know what to do."

Monica Bodden
"So you have a surprise plan for her when she gets home?"

Sarai Tesecum - Sister
"Yeah, I can't say because she will know."

And with all the emotions at the airport -14 year old Damari did not forget to thank everyone who helped her and her family get through one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Damari Tesecum - Burnt Victim
"I want to thank the entire public of Belize for supporting us emotionally and physically I want to thank each and every person that helps us in every way. I am really impressed that the people of Belize responded like that and I am proud of the Belizean people."

She returned to her home in Estrella today and she will have to return to the US for a follow up next year. When the accident occurred Damari was getting ready to start third form.



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