Imperial Sugar Patients Make Transition to Rehab

Some of the Burn Victims from the February 7th Imperial Sugar Explosion remain at the Augusta Burn Center.

Three are still in critical condition, one is in good and two are in the rehab unit.

One of the two in the rehab unit is Justin Purnell.

News Threes Alice Massimi spoke with his wife and some of his doctors about what lies ahead for the recovering patient.

Justin Purnell was burned on more than sixty percent of his body.

In critical care since the night of the explosion just last week his condition was upgraded and he was sent on to rehab.  

“Words can not explain it because you do not know how fast it is coming and once it is here its like okay we have a bigger step. You know, he still has a long way to go but that was a big step,” says his wife Jenny Purnell.

A step that will be difficult and trying at times.

“A lot of the patients have been in the burn unit for a matter of weeks not only are they weak but their joints tend to get used to being in a particular position. So we have to stretch them back out not just the skin but the joint itself will have some mobility problems,” explains Dr. Harry Hughes a doctor at the rehab staff.

So for three hours a day six days a week Justin will work with an occupational and physical therapist.

All the therapy isn't the typical stuff you would expect there is also a big emphasis on doing basic things again like tying your shoe or dressing yourself.

“Yesterday I got to stay up there a little longer and he was putting close pins on a metal rod just to exercise his fingers and stuff,” recalls Jenny.

Jenny says Justin is enjoying rehab and can’t wait till his fellow burn victim and hometown friend Paul Seckinger joins him. In the meantime he's working hard with goal of going home to see his 2 year old son.

“He seems pretty determined to make everything work like it did before,” says Jenny.

Rehab will not stop when the patients are discharged from the hospital.

Doctors say many of the Imperial Sugar patients will also need outpatient rehab.