“Oh my gosh, it’s been almost eight years, it feels like yesterday. Then again it feels like a long time, too.”
October 23, 2009, started out like any other Friday for Tiffany Bates. She returned from school and went about her normal routine. Her parents’ house is heated by a corn burner that was running that fall afternoon. Her father asked her to check on it while he went to the store to get more corn.
“The fire was getting low so I tried to stroke it,” she remembered. “I grabbed the accelerant and sprayed it on the fire … something I’d done hundreds of times.” A backdraft down the chimney shifted to spray the accelerant, and fire, the opposite direction. In an instant, Tiffany caught on fire. “I opened my eyes and flames were everywhere.”
Tiffany’s mother ran downstairs and helped to do everything they could to extinguish the fire. She rolled on the concrete floor but the fire wouldn’t go out. After what seemed like an eternity, they worked to put it out by hitting it with a soft cooler and patting it down.
“Once it was out, I remember walking past the bathroom mirror and saw skin hanging off my face,” she said. “I panicked after that.”
Tiffany was LifeFlighted and taken to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. She spent five weeks in the hospital getting two skin grafts, one on her neck and chest and one on her arm. After being discharged, she went through daily physical and occupational therapy.
When I was in the hospital, I wanted to prove to everyone that I could do it. Most of all I wanted to show myself that my limitations weren’t limiting and that I can do anything I put my mind to.
With a new lease on life, Tiffany found herself to be a different person.
“I was self-conscious and always wanted people’s approval. After that, I had to accept my scars and who I am because of it. I’m a much happier person because of everything I went through.”
Tiffany missed nearly two months of high school and was nearly held back. Not only did she end up graduating on time, she did so second in her class.
She officially decided on attending Heidelberg after meeting with Dr. Trevor Bates, associate dean of health sciences. Dr. Bates, no relation, noted the positivity she brought to campus. "Tiffany has seen many challenges and faces each with grit and determination that inspires others to have a positive perspective.”
“Dr. Bates has always encouraged me,” she said. “He’s challenged me, and pushed me to my absolute limits. He expects a lot from his students because he wants us to be prepared for our futures. Mine is now standing right in front of me.”
She has been very active on campus over her four years as a member of Delta Sigma Chi, Catholic Newman Club, Cru, and the women’s golf team. She’ll graduate with a degree in Health Sciences and while she plans on working at a hospital for a few years, she has bigger aspirations in mind. “Eventually, I’m looking to go to nursing school. I’d love to work in a burn unit.”
Her time spent at St. Vincent’s led her to want to show people that there are better days ahead. “When I was in the hospital, I could not see the light at the end of that tunnel. I am an example of how it’s going to get better. I want to be that hope for someone.”