The victorian family of a toddler who suffered burns to more than 40 percent of his body when a deadly fire swept through his house has good news about his recovery.
Elijah was staying at Mildura’s home with his family on May 1, when the fire broke out.
The “energetic and loving” two-year-old was in a critical condition when he was removed from the home by his devastated family members.
He was airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where he was put into an induced coma with second-degree burns covering 42% of his body.
Elijah has endured multiple operations and procedures, including three rounds of wound debridement to remove the dead tissue.
The young boy will require a long recovery period; however, his family recently provided an encouraging update: he is now breathing on his own.
The 12-year-old had been adapting well to his operations and would have his fourth wound debridement on Thursday, according to his sister Alyia Whitton.
“Elijah had skin grafting to his face and to his lower body. His swelling has reduced and his skin has improved,” she added.
“His breathing tube has been removed and he is now breathing on his own. Both of his eyes have opened.
“However, he is still getting used to the new changes. He’s been a bit more agitated since coming out of surgery, which is expected. He is recovering incredibly well.”
His family was informed that the treatments would last for months.