I am going to change from my normal technology-based column content and talk and a day that not only threatened the day of myself and three friends, but also affected the lives of our family and friends.
On May 27, 1992, my drug usage nearly took my life, as well as three of my friends. As the four of us spent most of the morning huffing propane in the basement of my home in Greenville, it goes without saying that each of us was high and making poor decisions.
As the air in the basement became filled with the gas, the thought of what could happen was the furthest from each of our minds. I took a break to play my guitar, I attempted to light a cigarette… talk about a bad decision. Once I clicked a lighter to smoke, the spark instantly ignited the room, with a loud explosion that could be heard at the Greenville High School, which several of my friends confirmed.
The fire instantly filled the room, as a large blue flame washed over me like a tidal wave. I always remembered stop, drop and roll in school when you are on fire, but that technique did not work with the air fully engulfed in fire and intense heat.
My friends all made it outside as I continued to roll my body, attempting to put the flames out. As I rolled on the floor, I could only think to myself, “This is how I will die”.
Luckily, the gas inside the room went out and I was still alive. I got up off the floor and ran outside to where three others who were in the basement with me and two other friends who were at my house, but did not partake in the huffing. I yelled to both of them to call 911… as I was able to evaluate my injuries and the injuries of the other three. I saw my reflection in my garage door glass window… I knew then I was extremely critical and the fight to save my life was far from over.
I was transported right away, since I was obviously in the worst condition. The squad transported me to Wayne Hospital, where the ER staff worked quickly in attempts to stabilize me so I could be flown to the burn unit at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Ft. Wayne, Ind. At the time, it was one of the top-rated burn units in the country… and I would need all the help I could get!
Once the medical helicopter landed at the fairgrounds, I was on the way to Ft. Wayne… I was unconscious, but stable.
At the hospital, I remained unconscious for nearly three months. During this time, I went through many surgeries and was given a five percent chance of surviving, as 95 percent of my body suffered severe burns.
All four of us were airlifted to either Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton or to St. Joseph’s with me. Through the grace of God, all of us survived, but not without scars to forever remind us of the day that changed our lives forever.
After finishing vigorous physical and occupational therapy at Ohio State University Hospital, I was finally able to return to a “normal” life again.
Some of us appeared on national television shows, like the Maury Povich Show and 20/20, to help share the dangers of drugs and huffing… which was a major issue at the time all over the United States.
Today, I am always reminded of my bad decision that day. I have shared my story at many schools in both Ohio and Indiana, teen events, local events and numerous camps and addiction groups. I believe without a doubt that God was not done with me and I was to become the man I am today, and continue to speak to any group or school to help others not go through the hell I did.
You can read more about my story at www.clintonjrandall.com
