“Terrance has been hit by a car!”

They’re words no parent ever wants to hear. Just over a year ago, those were the exact words that Terrance’s family heard when his best friend ran into their house, panicked. The two boys had been playing outside when tragedy struck – nine-year-old Terrance was accidentally run over by a van.

Because it was a handicap-accessible vehicle – lower to the ground than most – Terrance became trapped underneath as it continued moving. Witnesses rushed to help, ultimately guiding him out from beneath the van.

Paramedics arrived quickly, concerned by the swelling in Terrance’s stomach – a sign of possible internal bleeding.

“My mind was racing all over the place,” recalled Terrance’s mom, Mercedes.

Terrance was taken by ambulance to Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa. In the days and weeks that followed – first in the ICU, then at the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health – doctors discovered the extent of his injuries: road rash, a lacerated spleen and liver, a broken femur, and third-degree burns on his buttocks from being dragged.

Support from ABF

It was during that time that Terrance’s family met ABF’s Client Care Services Coordinator, Vanessa.

“Right when Terrance came out of surgery, I met Vanessa,” said Mercedes. “She immediately asked, “What can I do to help?”

With her family living in Casa Grande. more than an hour from the hospital, travel quickly became a burden. ABF stepped in with gas cards to ease the daily commute and meal vouchers to remind Mercedes to care for herself, too.

A Long Road to Recovery

The weeks that followed were lifechanging. The family modified their home to accommodate Terrance’s recovery.

“Not only was his right leg broken, but they used skin from his left leg to graft the road rash on his butt, so he really couldn’t move from the waist down,” said Mercedes.

Recovery – both physical and emotional – is still ongoing. Some days are especially hard. Terrance mourns the loss of activities he once loved, like roller skating. The family also faces challenges managing the financial strain of recovery. Their insurance doesn’t cover the compression garments he needs for continued healing.

Moments of Hope

Thanks to ABF’s generous donors, Terrance recently received the garments he needed. And in June, he attended his first Camp Courage. Initially hesitant, he texted his mom during camp asking her to sign him up for next year. When he returned home, he shared a realization:

“There are so many kids that got burned like me!”

Before camp, he thought he was the only one.

A Lasting Impact

For Terrance’s family, this journey has been a powerful reminder to never take one another for granted. And for Mercedes, it’s been a lesson in resilience – and in the kindness of strangers.

“The support that ABF gives to families changes people’s lives – they were there for us when we needed them,” she said. “Without ABF, Terrance wouldn’t have the garments he needs.”

The burn community is just that – a community. We show up for one another, whether that’s today, tomorrow or in the years to come. Thank you to our supporters for always showing up for burn survivors and their families during their journey to healing.