Severe Burns Send Montana Toddler to SLC. Here’s How to Help

There is a heartbreaking story out of Ekalaka, MT this week, and just reading the details about this young child who was badly burned almost drives me to tears. A toddler named Eben Whitney pulled a boiling pot of water off the stovetop around noon on Saturday, February 25. According to the GoFundMe account, young Eben received 2nd-degree burns on 12 - 15% of his precious little body.

The boy was airlifted to the University of Utah Burn Center in Salt Lake City, where he faces a long, painful recovery. Reportedly, the pain is so severe when doctors and nurses are changing his bandages, that he must be put under anesthesia.

Burns are so painful.

According to the American Burn Association, approximately 30,000 children in the United States suffer from severe burns every year. Burn injuries can be caused by a wide range of sources, including fires, scalding liquids, chemicals, and electrical currents.

Sadly, children are particularly susceptible to burns due to their inquisitive and exploratory nature, as well as their limited ability to recognize and avoid danger. Young children have thinner skin, which makes them more vulnerable to burns and more susceptible to complications such as infections.

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Eben's mom was able to fly with him to Salt Lake, but according to the post, his dad and brother are still in Ekalaka. The family is awaiting more information on a treatment plan, that will surely involve weeks (if not more) at the Burn Center. Speaking from personal experience, being away from your support group with a sick child in a hospital 8 hours away is a very trying experience. Time off from work, travel, meals, running out of vacation days, panicking about your bills, and of course, the well-being of your child is an enormous burden. Here is the link to the GoFundMe account for Eben Whitney.