Teen Burned in Experiment Goes Home

SHERMAN OAKS —  Tuesday, 37 days after Christopher James survived a botched physics experiment that exploded in his face at a Newhall high school, the 17-year-old walked out of the Grossman Burn Center.

“There was a period of time . . . when I wasn’t sure if Chris was going to survive,” said Dr. Peter H. Grossman, son of burn center founder A. Richard Grossman. “I wasn’t sure, but Chris was.”

Standing before a throng of well-wishers outside the hospital, Chris thanked his many friends, cracked jokes and talked about how the alcohol fire that burned him over 35% of his body taught him strength.

“He’s my hero,” said Carolyn James, Chris’ mother. “He’s learned things in life that most people don’t usually know until they are much older. I never thought he could handle that much pain.”

Chris’ treatment so far has included seven surgeries, 23,000 square centimeters of skin grafts and 38 units of donated blood.

“I don’t know how anyone could go through that,” his father, George James, said. “I would have had to have been sedated the whole time.”

Doctors say Chris is just starting his ordeal. With several more surgeries to come, and possibly lifelong disfigurement to his face, only some of his future challenges will be physical.

A handsome, popular athlete, Chris was burned the day before Thanksgiving at Hart High School during a senior physics class experiment on the trajectory of flying objects. The experiment was supervised by first-year teacher Thomas Magee, who instructed the class to shoot tennis balls out of two “cannons” made of apple juice cans and propelled by an explosive chamber charged with methanol, a wood alcohol.

One cannon exploded in Chris’ face, setting him and classmate Nolan LeMar, 17, aflame in a nearly invisible chemical fire.

The blast almost killed Chris and injured Nolan less severely. The William S. Hart Union High School District immediately banned experiments utilizing flammable materials and local agencies launched investigations of the incident.

On Tuesday, Chris emerged from the hospital to the cheers of his family and friends. Stiffly moving past a gantlet of reporters, Chris bowed his head, hiding his face behind the bill of his Los Angeles City Fire Department cap.

Once at a lectern, however, he looked directly into the news cameras and spoke--a remarkable feat since his vocal cords and windpipe were severely burned when he inhaled the scorching vapors.

Although initially nervous, Chris thanked his family and friends, especially Jessie Honea, his classmate who smothered the flames with a sweatshirt.

“He probably saved my life,” Chris said.

The youth said he was also surprised at the outpouring of community support: four blood drives, prayer meetings at two local churches and meals cooked and delivered to his family by local restaurants, friends and strangers.

“I didn’t think they liked me,” Chris joked. “I guess they do.”

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While praising the youth’s fortitude, Grossman said Chris’ struggle is just beginning. He will live, but not as he did before the accident. There will be physical therapy sessions and reconstructive surgeries, many of which may not be covered by the family’s health insurance, hospital sources said.

Perhaps worst of all will be the psychic trauma caused by his facial scarring.

“It’s going to be hard for him the first time he goes to school,” Chris’ grandmother, Joanne Webberley, said. “He’ll think about how he was before the accident, how good he looked.”

Grossman said burn victims must often overcome the prejudices of society, which often places undue emphasis on one’s physical appearance.

“He’s going to have to face people looking at him, because no matter what we do, he’s going to have scars,” the doctor said. “He’s going to face a lot of issues: Can you find a job? Can you find a woman who will accept you despite the scars?”

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Family members said Chris has kept a positive attitude during his hospitalization and treatment.

“He said he likes the shape of his nose better than he did before,” his grandmother said.

Before leaving with his family in a black limousine, Chris said he is looking forward to returning to school.

The first thing he plans to do when he gets home, he said, is to throw a party to bring in the new year.

A fund been has established to help cover Chris’ future treatment. Donations may be sent to Sherman Oaks Hospital Foundation-Chris James Fund, in care of Sherman Oaks Hospital, 4929 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91403.

* A WILL TO SURVIVE: Columnist Mike Downey ponders one teenager’s courage. A3