Glendale Heights teen injured in fire pit explosion faces long recovery
Ivan Galarza faces as many as four skin graft surgeries as he recovers from severe burns he suffered when a backyard fire pit exploded at a Glendale Heights party April 28, but he's doing better and looks forward to moving on with his life, his father said Sunday.
Ivan, a 16-year-old student from Glenbard East High School, remains covered in bandages at Loyola University Medical Center near Maywood, which could be his home for another four to six weeks, Joel Galarza said.
Although he called his mother immediately after he was injured, Ivan is now unable to speak. He can move his left hand slightly and communicate with his fingers, his father said.
"They are getting skin from his legs and (putting) them on the chest and on the arms and back," Galarza said. "We will see how he responds to those surgeries and then we will go from there."
Ivan was one of at least 12 teens injured in an explosion sparked when a flammable liquid was poured onto a fire in a backyard fire pit at a home on the 1800 block of Marci Court, authorities said. He is one of four treated for burns at Loyola.
Galarza said his son is facing a long recovery, but his spirits have been buoyed by visits from friends. He described Ivan as a "happy boy" who enjoyed playing football and is popular with classmates.
"He wants to recover and go on with his life," he added.
Galarza said he is trying to come to grips with his son's situation, as are his mother, sister and brother.
"The truth is that I don't know how I feel. I'm trying to feel good, but I can't," he said.
A GoFundMe page set up to help the family with Ivan's medical and therapy costs raised $38,682 of a $150,000 goal as of Sunday.
Glenbard East High School teachers are holding a car wash fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, in the Glenbard East parking lot to help families of the injured students.
Well-wishers also have launched a #Paintthetownred campaign on social media to encourage residents to tie ribbons around parkway trees and posts in East's school color.