Foot fault: Buffalo teen tests the big chill -- and loses
A five-minute loss of common sense turned painful for a Buffalo teenager in subzero temps.
By Maura Lerner, Star Tribune
The 18-year-old Buffalo High School senior was treated for frostbite this morning after his stunt during halftime of the Super Bowl.
The Brown family men have a tradition of running around the garden barefoot during halftime of the game. This year, D.J.'s dad, David Brown, declared it too cold for such silliness.
But D.J., who said he's a straight-A student at Buffalo High School, wasn't persuaded. He ran outside in his t-shirt and jeans, threw off socks and shoes, and ran around the block.
"Teenage arrogance," D.J. said.
Or, as he told his grandmother, "I didn't realize the cold could be so dangerous."
D.J. said he was only outside for five minutes. But when he got home, his feet started swelling and blistering.
"I consider myself having a high pain threshold, and this was just so 10 out of 10," he said. "I was, like, chewing on a towel."
He was treated for second-degree frostbite on both feet at the burn center at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
"Cold weather is just as dangerous as pouring scalding water on your feet," said Dr. Leslie Smith, a burn specialist. She said the damage was so severe that D.J. is on crutches and pain medication.
"He should be fine, but it's going to take a few weeks," Smith said. "It sure is a costly lesson."
Many hospitals in the mero area reported they've treated frostbite cases since subzero temperatures arrived last week.
Often, people don't realize how quickly frostbite can set in, Smith said, or how dangerous it can be. In the worst cases, it can lead to amputation.
"I don't know what came over me," D.J. said "I just figured we'd all have a laugh about it ... and watch the end of the game."
Now, he wants others will learn from his mistake. "I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this."
Maura Lerner 612-673-7384
A five-minute loss of common sense turned painful for a Buffalo teenager in subzero temps.
By Maura Lerner, Star Tribune
The 18-year-old Buffalo High School senior was treated for frostbite this morning after his stunt during halftime of the Super Bowl.
The Brown family men have a tradition of running around the garden barefoot during halftime of the game. This year, D.J.'s dad, David Brown, declared it too cold for such silliness.
But D.J., who said he's a straight-A student at Buffalo High School, wasn't persuaded. He ran outside in his t-shirt and jeans, threw off socks and shoes, and ran around the block.
"Teenage arrogance," D.J. said.
Or, as he told his grandmother, "I didn't realize the cold could be so dangerous."
D.J. said he was only outside for five minutes. But when he got home, his feet started swelling and blistering.
"I consider myself having a high pain threshold, and this was just so 10 out of 10," he said. "I was, like, chewing on a towel."
He was treated for second-degree frostbite on both feet at the burn center at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
"Cold weather is just as dangerous as pouring scalding water on your feet," said Dr. Leslie Smith, a burn specialist. She said the damage was so severe that D.J. is on crutches and pain medication.
"He should be fine, but it's going to take a few weeks," Smith said. "It sure is a costly lesson."
Many hospitals in the mero area reported they've treated frostbite cases since subzero temperatures arrived last week.
Often, people don't realize how quickly frostbite can set in, Smith said, or how dangerous it can be. In the worst cases, it can lead to amputation.
"I don't know what came over me," D.J. said "I just figured we'd all have a laugh about it ... and watch the end of the game."
Now, he wants others will learn from his mistake. "I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this."
Maura Lerner 612-673-7384
nereid:
oh my god. Silly teenagers
cptpyjama:
Haha people are dumb.