Sammy Croker, Age 5
PENNSYLVANIA
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Burn accident
A fast-moving house fire enveloped Sammy Croker’s home in Philadelphia, Pa. Just 2 years old then, Sammy made it out alive but suffered severe burns over 60 percent of his body. His legs were so badly damaged that both legs had to be amputated below the knee. His right ear was completely destroyed.
In the months and years that followed, Sammy bravely endured countless hours of burn treatment, rehabilitation and therapy. He has had more than 25 medical procedures so far, including the latest procedure to reconstruct his severely burned scalp. An operation to reconstruct his ear is still ahead. Despite all he’s been through and the fact that he spends 23 hours a day in a compression garment to flatten scar tissue, Sammy manages to have fun and goof off as enthusiastically as any 5-year-old. His doctors and nurses are in awe of his strength.
“Sammy sustained very severe burns that for all practical purposes could have taken his life,” said Dr. Richard Kirschner, Sammy’s surgeon. “Then he had a very difficult reconstructive mountain to climb. Now he’s walking and functioning like every other kid. His spirit is unbroken.”
