Lithuanian Children’s Hope

Treating Vladas’s Severe Burns in Boston

Doctors at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston helping treat Vladas’s severe burns

Vladas Dapkus came to the attention of the Lithuanian Children’s Hope team after an explosion at a bonfire severely burned the boy’s face, hair, ears and hands when he was only five years old. After medics arrived at the scene, the injured boy was taken to the Kaunas Clinic. Vladas was in an induced coma for 4-5 months. The medical equipment available at that time and the efforts of Lithuanian doctors were not enough to appropriately treat the severe skin burns. A specialist had to be found who could use laser technology to help treat the scars on Vladas’s face and hands.

When Lithuanian Children’s Hope learned of the difficulties the little patient and his family were facing, arrangements were made to have the boy brought to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Boston for the necessary treatment. The treatments he has received have greatly improved his appearance and, importantly, his emotional and psychological wellbeing.