Foster’s Daily Democrat
Date: Sep. 9, 2015
By: HOLLY RAMER, The Associated Press
CONCORD — A man who was severely burned in an explosion at a water park in Taiwan
Alex Haas
has returned home to New Hampshire, where his recovery so far has surprised doctors and family alike.
Alex Haas, 27, who had been teaching in Taipei, suffered burns on about 90 percent of his body when a flammable powder blew up over a stage at the water park on June 27. Media in Taiwan have reported that 11 people died and more than 500 were injured.
Haas’ cousin, Melanie Tamposi, said he returned to his parents’ home in Mont Vernon last weekend after a brief stay at Massachusetts General Hospital. The next step will be lots of physical therapy, but doctors so far are impressed by his progress, she said.
“He has a lot of mobility in places they thought would take a lot longer to regain,” she said.
Tamposi says she has been amazed not just by her cousin’s strength but also by the outpouring of community support that has surrounded the family since his injury. She and her sister set up a page on the crowdfunding site gofundme.com, which has raised more than $100,000, and others have reached out with encouraging words or to share inspiring stories of those who have overcome similar obstacles. [FULL STORY]
