September 12, 2006

Losing 3 Fingers Does Not Make One Forget 9/11

When Marlton's Zachary Buono lost three fingers on his left hand in a firecracker accident last April, he did what any red-, white- and blue-blooded American would do: Bucked up, wished his index and middle fingers goodbye and got an operation to replace his thumb with his big toe.

Bully for him. I know if I lost my fingers in a freak accident involving static electricity, an M-80 and my bedroom, the last thing I'd considering doing is being upbeat about it. But Buono is, and I wish him luck, although I don't know if "it doesn't look like a toe on a hand -- it looks like a finger on a hand." (Maybe.)

But the 14-year-old Buono isn't only upbeat, he's sympathetic to others:

[Doctor] Fuller described Buono as an "inspiration" to other patients who have watched his consistently positive attitude. During Monday's appointment, Fuller said the boy even took time to express sadness over Sept. 11 victims.

I really like how the doctor says he "even took time." I'll imagine the conversation went something like this: "Excuse me, doc, but now's the time in the appointment I'd like to set aside for the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Please join me in a moment of silence and then we can get back to my thumb."

He lost a toe, but gained a thumb [Camden Courier Post]
Editor's Note: This ranks among my favorite headlines of all time.

Posted by D-Mac on September 12, 2006 03:18 PM
Posted to Hospitals , New Jersey , Thumbs , Toes

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