Star Trek fan badly burned in Santa Barbara fire needs your help!

[trampledamage]

Awesomely good news. I hope the good progress continues

 

[pookha]

That's great. I hope they continue to improve quickly.

I left a message on that FaceBook page asking for specific suggestions for books. I'd hate to duplicate somebody else's donation. If you have any ideas, let me know.

the easiest thing might be for people who want to donate books send a list of what they have to donate.
then either someone that knows what they like or even themselves as they improve could see what they would like to have.
heck looking over lists of books that people are willing to give might be a great moral booster to them as fans.

would they like some sf art?? i have some prints i would be willing to donate and am sure other fans would be willing.

maybe even consider creating a flyer to send to sf and trek cons about the situation .
i know it has gotten some coverage in places like file 770 but there maybe fans who havent heard.


really fantastic news about their seeing each other.

 

[RJDiogenes]

the easiest thing might be for people who want to donate books send a list of what they have to donate.

Well, I don't really have anything to donate; I'm going to buy some stuff.

Actually, I do have the older DVD of Forbidden Planet; everybody likes that movie, right?

 

[TJinLOCA]

Actually, I do have the older DVD of Forbidden Planet; everybody likes that movie, right?

Well, every self-respecting SF fan, certainly!

The fundraiser last night was a huge success! I was really impressed with how many businesses went all out to support the effort - there was an amazing array of catered food and some wonderful wine (& a martini bar!) for everyone who purchased the $25 tickets. They even had a jazz band playing, and they were very good.

Seeing Khan on a big screen again with hundreds of screaming Trek fans was a wonderful experience, made even more enjoyable by knowing that the ticket money was going to such a good cause. When they got to Ricardo Montalban's name in the opening credits, everyone in the place screamed "KHAAANNNNNNNNnnn!" as if on cue. It was fantastic!

But because the event was so well-attended, it was a bit too crowded and boisterous to find out anything concrete about donations. I'll have to catch up with everyone on the Facebook site and see what I can find out.

Best audience moment: During the scene where Khan's right-hand man Joaquim dies in his arms, and Ricardo gives that scenery-chewing rendition of the line "I shall avenge you!" my snarky 14-year-old daughter said (LOUDLY)

"By Grabthar's Hammer!"

I laughed so hard I could hardly breathe, along with most of the audience.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Heh. I love that movie, too.

That sounds like a great time; it's wonderful to see so many people so eager to help out.

 

[JiNX-01]

Hey, TJ, we could use an update here! It's been a while...

 

[TJinLOCA]

Sorry for the lack of updates - I blame Christmas!

The good news is that Lance & Carla are both continuing to improve steadily. They are allowed to have visitors now, and we're planning a trip down to Riverside to see them during the holiday break. They are both up and walking (although Lance still needs a walker) and they've recovered enough that they're both professing boredom.

They've had a good stream of visitors bringing them DVDs, books, and requested food over Christmas. They've told everyone how much all the love and support has helped!

Here are their addresses if anyone wants to send a card ... they'll still both be in the burn ward for quite awhile longer, and after they're released they'll have to stay nearby for frequent physical therapy, so there's a lot of time left to figure out where they'll be living longterm.

Lance Hoffman
BICU, Bed #5

Carla Hoffman
BICU, Bed #2

101 The City Drive
Orange, CA 92868

Thanks again for all the help and good wishes!

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

They're at UCI? I know where that is! I do hope they continue to get better.

 

[TJinLOCA]

They're at UCI? I know where that is! I do hope they continue to get better.

Yup ... One of the early reports was that they were taken to Riverside, but it was actually Irvine. Apparently the UCI Burn Center is one of the best in the country.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Glad to hear they continue to improve. Now that Christmas is over, I'll figure out what books I want to send them.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

They're at UCI? I know where that is! I do hope they continue to get better.

Yup ... One of the early reports was that they were taken to Riverside, but it was actually Irvine. Apparently the UCI Burn Center is one of the best in the country.

Let me know when you guys are going. I don't know them, but maybe you could use all the moral support you can get.

 

[mic of orion]

Glad to hear both of them are getting better, best wishes from England

 

[RJDiogenes]

Well, the books I ordered came from Amazon yesterday, so I should be able to get them out at lunchtime today, along with my extra Forbidden Planet and Firefly DVDs.

 

[TJinLOCA]

Thanks, RJD! I'm sure they'll appreciate them.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I hope so. I sent stuff that I was pretty sure wouldn't be duplicated by anyone else. I hope they like classic SF.

 

[hellsgate]

Status of the couple & their recovery? Have they found a new place to call home (at least, for now?)

 

[TJinLOCA]

Status of the couple & their recovery? Have they found a new place to call home (at least, for now?)

Yes! The most recent update is that Lance & Carla were scheduled to be released from UCI BC yesterday, Wednesday Jan. 14. Everyone is thrilled with their progress.

I haven't heard from anyone since the release date, but the plan was that they would be staying with Lance's grandmother nearby the Burn Center until they're finished with their physical therapy and follow-up appointments (which could be several months).

It will be awhile before they can start making plans for getting a new place in SB, but they're both lucky to be with us and to have come as far as they have in just a couple of months! Thanks so much to everyone for all the help and support - and remember, the Burn Fund for medical expenses and the Support Fund for replacing their belongings are still actively accepting donations - see the first post in the thread.

 

[RJDiogenes]

The package was delivered the day before yesterday, so they got it just in time. It's good to hear that they are being discharged; being out of the hospital should boost their spirits and help in their recovery.

 

[JiNX-01]

Oh, TJ, that is such good news! Sending more prayers and good thoughts westward....

 

[TJinLOCA]

Hi everybody! Sorry for the long delay in updating, but the news is all good. Here's a recent news report on Lance & Carla from KEYT TV in Santa Barbara:

Video Link Here!

They had to run through flames to make it out alive. Now, the couple severely burned in the Tea Fire two months ago, is making new progress in their recovery. Lance and Carla Hoffman were discharged from the hospital this week. In an exclusive interview with KEY News, Lance Hoffman told us about their fight to survive.

When the Tea Fire broke out in November last year, it quickly made its way to Lance and Carla Hoffman's cabin on East Mountain Drive. "I sent my wife to go outside while I tried to capture the cat, I heard a scream from outside as she discovered we were surrounded." Hoffman said.

The Montecito couple had no choice but to take the burns that came and run for thier life. Said Hoffman, "in the course of running to car, a large flap of skin on my left forearm had boiled off and was hanging loose, and at first I thought through my head, it was good someone will look at it and know we need help"

That help came in the form of some Montecito firefighters who took the couple to Cottage Hospital. Lance Hoffman, vividly remembers that moment with his wife. "I remember yelling back and forth to her that you don't have to answer me but, I love you. And she was shouting back I love you." He said.

The Hoffmans, ended up spending the next 2 months in a hospital in Orange County. "We were in intensive care for a month and a half of that, Carla was fully unconscious for 2 weeks and was further out of it for another week. I, was unconscious for the first month because of surgeries." Hoffman said.

The Hoffmans are starting a 6-week therapy program in Orange County now. They're expected to make a full recovery and return to Santa Barbara in the near future.

If you are wishing to make a donation to help with the couple's expenses, you can contact any Santa Barbara Bank and Trust branch. For more information you can visit http://www.lanceandcarlafund.com/.