A Brave Heart Who Deserves A Life
Background
On May 3rd 2000, Alfred ‘Podge’ Page at 7pm was playing with friends when set upon in a ruthless manner by a disturbed boy of a similar age. Podge as he prefers to be called, had petrol poured over him and immediately set alight. In an act of almost unimaginable cruelty Podge suffered in excess of 61% third degree burns. Which is all but his face, crutch (saved by his cut off jeans) and feet (saved by his boots). Although rushed into the local hospital (Medway) it was immediately clear that he required specialist attention so he was transferred, even in his unstable condition to Chelmsford where Mr Peter Dwoskie, the specialist burns consultant, attended to him. Mr Dwoski only gave Podge a 40% chance of surviving.
Podge was on life support systems in intensive care for three months. Only the commitment, dedication of the medical and nursing staff saved him through their use of modern drugs and artificial skin. Three times him body gave in. His lungs, heart and intestines failing to function. Three times his parents Maria & Arthur thought they had lost their son. Three times Podge fought back with the skilled help of the hospital team. The damage to his bowel was so extensive that surgeons have had to remove all but one foot of intestine, which means he will need to eat carefully for the rest of his life, will struggle to control his bowel actions and will have to carefully protect his abdomen as it lost all its muscle cover.
The extent of burns to Podges body become apparent when you realise with so little “good” skin areas to get graphs from the surgeons have even resorted to taking skin from his scalp! Doctors expected Podge to be in hospital for more than a year, but Podge with support and encouragement from his family and friends pushed himself in every way he could and so was able to leave after only 5 months. Luckily the family were able to persuade the council to re house them in order to give Podge a downstairs bedroom and toilet.
The situation in 2001
The pain and torment that this young lad has already been through would be enough to break the spirit of most but not Podge. The most striking thing on meeting Podge is his positive calm outlook on life. He smiles while talking freely about the attack and declares confidently that he will one day fulfil his dream of practicing kung fu again.
Most of Podge’s body is still covered with artificial flesh & skin. He has lost all the muscles on his stomach – his one foot of bowel is covered only with a graft of skin which means many activities we take for granted are highly dangerous for Podge. If that thin layer of skin were to tear his life would again be under threat.
As we grow our “skin” grows with us, but not for Podge and he has much growing left to do. Even now after only months since the accident some areas of grafted skin are too tight. At the moment he cannot lift his neck up to a “normal” position, because one “flap” of skin is too tight. That means another operation to release it. Podge has used most of his body reserves up in his fight to survive, he is thin, jaundiced and tiers easily. He walks slowly and uncertainly under the watchful eye of his devoted parents and five siblings.
Many of Podge’s favourite activities are now such a struggle. A fishing fan, he no longer has the body strength to cast his line. He loved to run and cycle over the large field near his home but now he can barely walk. With only one foot of bowel left to “process” whatever he eats, his diet is restricted and needs to stay close to the toilet, never leaving home for more than one hour. Many nights he “calls” his Mum with an electric doorbell wired into his room, to help him go to the toilet or to change the bed if he’s had an accident.
After more than twenty operations Podge can be pleased with his progress and he is. The spirit of this young man is an example to all of us of who to triumph over major set back. Even so, this lad faces many more operations until he is into his twenties; he faces a heavily restricted life in constant pain.
On top of these major problems, there is more. His Dad, Arthur, is unable to work having developed a heart condition, only a pacemaker keeps him alive. That means Mum needs to be at home to care for Podge, his five siblings and her husband. This restricts their income to what the state gives in benefit.
This young man has had his “life” stolen by a terrible act of vandalism. Things that are seen as “rights” for the rest of us, like going to school, going to the cinema with friends, eating curry, getting a job, going on holiday, are out of reach for Podge unless…
The situation now
More to follow...