Man Hurt During Colorado City Wildfires Regains Use of his Hand
By: Jessica Reyes, bigcountryhomepage.com
Updated: March 15, 2011
COLORADO CITY -- During a wildfire that claimed 14 homes in Colorado City last month, Willie Davila was miraculously the only person hurt. After weeks of waiting, he had 10 stitches removed from his right thumb Tuesday.
"I'm ready. I feel helpless because I can't do my part," he said.
The 57-year-old severed his thumb when he tripped while running with a cart of belongings from his burning home on West County Road 145.
"I could feel the pain right away. The tip of the finger was just dangling. Quickly grabbed it, put it back together and took off running," he said.
Immediately after escaping the flames, his son's girlfriend took him straight to the emergency room.
"Blood was just running out from it pretty heavy and I was trying to keep it from doing that, so I was putting pressure on it," he said.
Davila and his wife, Margie, are trying to stay positive after losing their home and two pets.
"Life goes on. We'll build another house and start over," Margie said.
Despite the circumstances, Davila said he's excited to finally have this thumb back, something he never thought he'd miss.
"I've got feeling in it. I try to make the best of it. I keep my head up and smile because, I mean, ain't no reason not to," he said.
The Davilas are beginning the rebuilding process and hope to be living on their property again within the next few months.
"I'm ready. I feel helpless because I can't do my part," he said.
The 57-year-old severed his thumb when he tripped while running with a cart of belongings from his burning home on West County Road 145.
"I could feel the pain right away. The tip of the finger was just dangling. Quickly grabbed it, put it back together and took off running," he said.
Immediately after escaping the flames, his son's girlfriend took him straight to the emergency room.
"Blood was just running out from it pretty heavy and I was trying to keep it from doing that, so I was putting pressure on it," he said.
Davila and his wife, Margie, are trying to stay positive after losing their home and two pets.
"Life goes on. We'll build another house and start over," Margie said.
Despite the circumstances, Davila said he's excited to finally have this thumb back, something he never thought he'd miss.
"I've got feeling in it. I try to make the best of it. I keep my head up and smile because, I mean, ain't no reason not to," he said.
The Davilas are beginning the rebuilding process and hope to be living on their property again within the next few months.
