Early in April of 2015, an unfortunate accident at the home of Carolina Dominguez Meza in the DFC Area left her daughter Katerin Michel Perez with third-degree burns to over 50% of her upper body. Perez was nine years old then and after being in Belize City for a few days in a coma, was airlifted to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston, USA, where she spent several months undergoing treatment. Since then, Katerin has made a remarkable recovery, and every year, she is required to travel to the medical center for treatment. Currently, she is back in Boston along with her mother for her annual check-ups and scheduled surgeries.
Perez was badly burned when her mother was advised to treat her headlice by applying gasoline to her head and hair. The young girl was in the kitchen, near the lighted stove during the process. She became engulfed in flames and used her hands to protect her face, in turn severely burning her fingers. Some of her fingers had to be amputated, but against all the odds and months of intense rehabilitation, Perez continues the road to total recovery.
Her mother, Carolina Dominguez Meza, who witnessed the accident that almost took the life of her daughter, was also injured, receiving second-degree burns. She was treated at the intensive care unit of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. Meza received burns to the hands, arms, and part of her face. She underwent several skin treatments until her condition improved and was able to leave the hospital. Her daughter’s condition was too delicate and was taken to the Shriners Hospital for Children abroad, where she underwent countless surgeries and extensive skin grafts.
Perez is back in Boston for her annual treatment, where she has undergone surgeries to put skin grafts on her right arm. She will also undergo surgery to improve her right eyelid. According to her mother, Perez will continue to undergo surgeries for the upcoming years.
Meza spoke with The San Pedro Sun and said that she is grateful to everyone that has been supporting them. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity to have my daughter in this hospital in Boston. If it wasn’t for Shriners Hospital, my daughter could have died,” said Meza. “She is responding well to the treatment and surgeries, and even though it has been very difficult these past years, we stay positive, and we continue the battle, the struggle for her complete rehabilitation, ” Meza said that the service at Shriners Hospital for Children had been excellent and their therapies are very helpful for her daughter.
Meza shared with The Sun that Perez is turning 15 years old next year and is thinking of planning an unforgettable Quince Años celebration for her. “I know that everyone will love to see such an event happening, and I believe that with everyone’s help, we can make a very unique and special 15th birthday party for my daughter,” said Meza. She stated that it is just a thought now, but with so many months for planning, it can become a reality. Meza will like to see everyone from the community in the said event since they helped her significantly with fundraisers following the unexpected accident.
Perez and her mother are expected to return to Belize before Christmas. They are expected to return to Boston in 2020 for another round of treatment and surgeries
San Pedro burn victim Katerin Michel Perez back in Boston USA for follow-up treatment
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