PA FF Walks for the First Time Since Being Burned
By Becky Metrick
Source pennlive.com (TNS)
Middletown Firefighter Shawn Menear had a “major push forward” in his progress recovering from major injuries he suffered during a fatal house fire on Jan. 23.
Menear has been at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia since he suffered third-degree burns and other injures when the second floor of a house collapsed on him during a firefight in the 500 block of Water Street in Royalton. The resident of the home, William “Bill” Hardy, died in the fire.
On Tuesday, Middletown Fire Department shared that Menear made major progress when he was able to walk under his own power for the first time since the fire.
“This is a very big improvement, and combined with a number of other obstacles he has overcome, his future of rehabilitation is getting much closer,” the department said in a post on its Facebook page.
Prior to this improvement, Menear had not been able to move beyond his hospital bed or bedside recliner chair during his entire time in treatment at the hospital, according to the post.
The department plans to announce an update on outpatient treatment for Menear as soon as possible.
“Thank you everyone for the continuous support, and Congratulations Shawn on a major step forward!!” the department wrote.
Fundraisers sprang up around the region to help Menear and his family following the fire. The official GoFundMe campaign has also raised $32,000 out of $50,000 needed for medical expenses and additional hardship caused by the injury.
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