Burn victim returns to Belize
A special little passenger arrived today at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. The toddler, Princela Canche a victim of a gas explosion in September, was brought home by her aunt and uncle who helped her during her medical treatment abroad. They will also help her cope with the loss of her mother, Luz Maria Jimemez and her grandmother Irene Canche who were both killed when the butane tank being filled at their home exploded engulfing everyone in the immediate area in flames. Like Princela, her little sister, Gesnani was also injured and is still hospitalized. But despite the family tragedy, today was a day for celebration for Princela.
Three year old Princela Canche was only too happy to be back home after being hospitalized for two months in the Shriner Burn Center for Children in Houston, Texas.
Innocenta Magana, Aunt
“She was very happy because when she entered the airplane, she was laughing and she says she is going to see her daddy, Carlos.”
Despite her condition and the obvious pain and horrifying experience little Canche went through, she has still not lost the joyful glitter in her eyes her aunt Innocenta Magana says she is well known for. Canche, who arrived fully covered by her protective garment, received severe burns to ninety five percent of her body, when a gas tank exploded while being filled at her family’s home in San Jose Palmar Village in Orange Walk. Magana says, although Canche is now out of danger, the journey ahead will be long and difficult.
Innocenta Magana
“Well she has to take a bath every day and clean all the little wounds, you know and take care of her and put on her warm dress cause this is hot you know. So I have to see what kind of dress she will use. She needs therapy too. She was having therapy, now I will do it, you now, at my house.”
In three months time, Canche is schedule to return to the States for further medical attention. In the meantime Magana says the family is asking the public for any assistance they can give towards the recovery of little Canche. Donations can be made to the Magana family in San Jose Palmar.
Princela’s airplane ticket from the United States was provided courtesy of TACA Airlines. Gas attendant Jaime Alonzo Jr. was also killed in the September first explosion.
