Juan Pablo Inspires Other Patients to be Strong

It seemed like a normal day for Juan Pablo; at least, it started out that way.

He was alone at his family’s home in Panama while his mother was at work, when the 14-year-old decided to cook a meal on the kitchen stove. It was something he did all the time, but for some reason, that day, the gas stove would not light.

He stood there for a few seconds, curious as to why the stove was not working properly, and then turned around to walk away. Suddenly, a fireball erupted from the stove, engulfing him in flames and throwing him to the floor. He was in agonizing pain and surrounded by flames, and he quickly realized he had to get out as fast as possible. He ran to a nearby window, jumped out of the house, and ran into the street for help.

Juan Pablo was rushed to a nearby hospital in Panama, where he remained for the next five days. He sustained burns over 87% of his body, and was in critical condition. He was soon transferred to Shriners Children’s Texas in Galveston, where he would continue to recover for about a year after the accident.

Three years later, Juan Pablo had come a long way, both physically and emotionally. For a long time, it was hard for him to talk about the accident and the injuries he suffered. Now, he wants to share his story and help other burn survivors like him with their recovery. His mother, Jackie, said that he has become an inspiration to several others.