Pray for Dean Thomson, severely injured in a sledding accident-Truth, but Resolved!

Pray for Dean Thomson, Severely Injured in a Sledding Accident-Truth!

Summary of the eRumor:
An email requesting prayer says that 7th grader Dean Thomson of Wheaton, Illinois smashed head-on into a tree while on a Boy Scout sledding trip. He was taken to the University of Chicago with numerous gruesome injuries to his had and face.

The Truth:
We had this listed as Unproven! for several months, but we got an email from Dean's mother and also communicated with his aunt, who is the one who started the email prayer request for him.

Melene Thomson told us that Dean's skull was fractured in three places, his nose was pushed up and into his nasal cavity, and there was a direct opening from his nose to his brain. His fellow scouts gave him first-aid for more than an hour until paramedics arrived and took Dean to a hospital in Indiana. He was later taken by helicopter to the University of Chicago.

Melene says Dean has fully recovered and enjoys rock climbing, soccer and mountain biking, among other activities.

She wrote, " Thanks to hundreds of people across the country (many we didn't even know) that prayed for our son. His face looks completely restored, and he has no pending health concerns.

Last updated 9/26/01

A real example of the story as it has been circulated:

Emergency Prayer Request

Please read, pray, then pass it on to everyone in your address book that can touch heaven for this child. I need your help in a big way. My nephew Dean Thomson from Wheaton, Illinois needs your healing prayers. Dean is a 7th grader and was on a Boy Scout sledding trip when he smashed head-on into a tree.

He was air-lifted back to University Of Chicago Hospital to the trauma unit. Dean has multiple facial and head injuries. He has broken cheek, nose, and jaw bones and a broken eye socket. One eye had to be put back into the socket, his lips had to be sewn on and his tongue stitched. His skull is cracked through, the plates separated. He has two blood clots and the potential for meningitis. Most of my email address book is family, and we are praying for healing for Dean. Please open up your email address books and forward this to anyone you know that prays.

A prayer chain stretching across the country will most certainly send healing love to Dean, his mom and dad Melanie and Scott, his brother and sister Zack and Adrienne. This young man really needs our prayers. Although this may sound hopeless, prayer can change things.

Through God all things are possible. Let's help this family. Keep the prayer chain going. PLEASE.