EDMONTON – When Luke Morin was three years old, his curiosity almost killed him. After watching his grandfather light a backyard bonfire with gasoline the night before, the toddler grabbed the jerry can and dumped it over still-hot coals.
“Some (gasoline) dripped onto (Luke’s) pants, and onto the ground,” remembers Luke’s mother, Brandi Morin. “And when it ignited, it ignited his pants.”
“My dad said he heard a scream like he’s never heard before and that he never wants to hear again.”
Luke suffered third degree burns to his legs, and spent weeks in a crib in the University of Alberta Hospital’s Firefighter’s Burn Treatment Unit. He was on heavy painkillers, and his family had to wear scrubs during visits, to prevent infection.
“His legs were literally like raw hamburgers.”
Luke is now 15 years old. Skin grafts have improved the look of his legs, but the scars are still obvious. Over the years, he’s endured teasing and stares from other kids. That’s why a recent trip to Washington, D.C. was so meaningful. Luke was one of only four Canadians invited to the Fire Fighters’ International Burn Camp, touring the US capital for a week with about fifty other young burn survivors. He found one fellow camper particularly inspiring.
“He doesn’t have any hair, he’s just burned all over his face and stuff,” said Luke. “I’m like, ‘Well this guy doesn’t care what he looks like, he still hangs out, he can throw a football, and he’s just cool.'”
On this Thanksgiving, Luke has a new attitude of gratitude. While mentoring younger campers, he offered some wise words.
“Who cares what you look like? As long as you’re alive and you’re having fun and you’re being you.”
“Something that was originally bad and horrific, now has an opportunity for some good to come out of it,” adds Luke’s mother.
The trip was fully funded by the International Association of Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation. More than 450,000 people in North America suffer burn injuries each year.
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