Imagine being told after severe burns that you’d never walk again, and your legs would need to be amputated to save your life. It’s a diagnosis many burn patients would grudgingly accept.
But not Honduras native Alejandro Laprade. Instead, the 52-year-old chef continued to seek other medical opinions.
After his injury from a home kitchen explosion in 2018, Laprade underwent 75 surgical procedures to both arms and legs and his back. But he saw no major improvement, even after five years.
“The prognosis in Honduras was very harsh, and I think that pushed me to seek at least one more opportunity,” Laprade said.
At that point, Laprade’s bed was his office, as well as the place where he ate, bathed and was visited by friends and doctors. He did not give up hope, though. “One day, I asked God, with one heart, if there was someone who could fix my legs.”
The opportunity he prayed for came from a friend in Atlanta who sent Laprade a business card for Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America’s patient advocate, Xiomari Castro.
Two months later, Laprade scheduled an appointment at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital of Augusta and soon became a patient to JMS Medical Director Dr. Bounthavy Homsombath.
Since starting treatment at JMS in 2024, Laprade has undergone seven reconstructive surgeries at JMS to increase mobility in his arms and legs and to improve the appearance of his scars.
“When I left my country, they said the only possibility was to amputate my legs, and I would have screws in different things,” Laprade said.
“Right now, I can stand and walk freely with a bigger hope.”
Surgical procedures were a small part of the process, though, according to Homsombath. It’s important for patients to have a family of people and professionals to help take care of them.
“There’s no way one person can handle it – the emotional and social aspect of ongoing care – without a team,” Homsombath said. “It takes a village.”
Laprade’s village included friends and family, as well as members of the JMS clinical and administrative teams.
Grateful for the treatment he received from every member of the JMS team, Laprade said employees always had a smile or encouraging word for him. “They motivated me. This place changed me from being a person who had no hope.”
The motivation started with his initial consultation and continued through his treatment. When checking in for his first surgical procedure, a nervous Laprade was told by the JMS employee at registration, “You are in the right place. Don’t cry any more. You are going to be healed.”
And he knew he was in the right place.
After the first surgeries, Laprade came to appointments at the burn center in a wheelchair.
He arrived at his second visit in a walker.
On the following visit, he used crutches.
Three weeks later, after physical therapy, he had two surgeries on his right leg to improve mobility.
The journey to healing wasn’t always easy.
“Well, it was kind of funny because after I took five steps, I fell on the floor. Everybody was, ‘Alejandro, Alejandro, what happened?’” he said. “With a big smile, I stood up and I said just let it be. This is the first time I have walked in such a long time.”
Homsombath credits Laprade’s positive attitude and perseverance.
“To see him walk is probably one of the best things you can see,” Homsombath said.
Laprade’s expectations were realistic, but his ability and determination are why he overcame the injury, Homsombath said.
Laprade put in the work and has been committed to his recovery since arriving at JMS.
“I could have been dead a long time ago, but I probably had nothing to celebrate,” Laprade said. “Now, I celebrate life every day.”