A man experienced a terrible ordeal as a child, leaving him with severe burns and little chance of survival. He fought to rebuild his life and refused to give up—even when his wife walked out on him. Nobody should have to face pain and trauma, but sadly people do, and often the v-ictims are children. Horrific ordeals can wreak havoc, but one man turned the turmoil into something else!
In 1986, he endured a tragic accident, suffering 98% burns on his body. Doctors didn’t have much hope for him, but in 2022, he shared his one-of-a-kind story that will leave you in awe. Chris Tomlinson was born a fighter, and before his second birthday, he had to prove it. The youngster caught alight while playing in his family’s shed and experienced anyone’s worst nightmare.
Tomlinson was rushed to the hospital, but severe damage had been done, and it seemed like he wouldn’t make it through the night. With a one percent chance of survival, things looked grim. To everyone’s astonishment, the brave youngster pulled through and didn’t give up. While he managed to hold onto his life, the journey ahead wasn’t easy. Tomlinson spent many years in and out of the hospital and faced over 200 surgeries.
Despite the devastating experience, Tomlinson showed strength and determination. He shared: “I always found the positivity in everything. I had this big old smile on my face because I knew God was with me… It wasn’t just by my own strength, it was God who was there for me the whole time.” Tomlinson grew into an inspiring adult, and when he was told there was a minimal chance he could have kids, he proved people wrong again.
He fathered two beautiful daughters, and they adored him. Sadly, his injuries made it difficult to find a job, and the family faced homelessness. Tomlinson clung to his faith and decided to share his story online. He didn’t want pity but hoped to encourage conversation and raise awareness for the members of society with disabilities. The response from netizens was unlike anything Tomlinson could ever have imagined.
Tomlinson became a vessel for change and made people think about how they treat their fellow human beings. He was also grateful for the help from strangers, which helped him keep his head above water. The dad always tried to provide for his kids, which became an important goal when tragedy struck again. Tomlinson’s wife left him to raise the girls alone—he was heartbroken and worried he might be unable to provide for them.
The single dad said losing his wife was horrible and would rather be “burned all over again than to experience that pain.” Again, he pulled himself out of the darkness and started to rebuild his life because he found purpose in his children. His girls needed him, and he vowed to do everything he could to be there for them.
Tomlinson relocated from Massachusetts to his birthplace in Florida and became involved in the community both in-person and online. Unfortunately, Tomlinson encountered prejudice, and people frequently stared at him because of his appearance. He never let it, however, impair him or his objective. He remarked, ” “It’s a huge part of my life to tell my tale. Again, not for me, but to bring God honor.
Many people believe that God is no longer active, but God performs miracles every second of every day.” Tomlinson was able to land many job interviews, but employers consistently informed him he wasn’t physically ready for the post. The father, who was unemployed, was obliged to take his family to a shelter, which shattered his heart.
He was surprised to find hope and help in an unlikely place—Reddit. He gained a community of supporters after posting on the internet site, and many individuals offered to aid him financially. Tomlinson also utilized the platform to connect with other burn survivors and provide them advise. He said: “Life will be difficult, but don’t let it knock you down.
Don’t let it bring you down; instead, it will make you stronger.” Donations were provided to the father via PayPal, allowing him to maintain a stable home for his children. Tomlinson was also looking forward to receiving prosthetic hands and was relieved that he had enough money to get to therapy appointments.
While he expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, he stated that it was not his objective when launching the page. He elaborated: “I appreciate the assistance, but I did not create this [page] for this purpose. I simply wanted to inform people about who I am, what I’ve been through, and the life of a disabled person; once again, I appreciate everyone’s assistance.”
Tomlinson has many reasons to be proud of himself, but his most notable accomplishment is being a father. Raising the daughters on his alone was difficult, and he yearned for a “whole family.” He continued: “It makes me sad that they don’t have a mother figure. They just have their father.” Despite the absence of their mother, Tomlinson is an active and present father who prioritizes their needs.
“Ultimately, I’m all they’ve got, and they’re the first thing I have to think of with anything, and I want to make sure they’re taken care of, safe, and happy,” he added. Tomlinson bucked the odds and is an inspiration to others. While his life had many problems, he chose to view them as opportunities to learn, grow, and help others. What are your thoughts on his fascinating journey?