Injured Scout will make trip to D.C.
Doctor intercedes on Sioux City boy's behalf
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008
Never underestimate the perseverance of a Boy Scout.
Thomas Auen, the Sioux City Scout who suffered numerous injuries from the tornado that killed four other Scouts and devastated the Little Sioux Scout Ranch June 11, will be going to Washington, D.C.
"He's a different boy altogether," Mary Auen said of her son on Sunday.
Initially, Larry Auen said his 14-year-old son would not be accompanying the Scouts and staff members who will travel to the nation's capital for some sightseeing, touring the White House and possibly having lunch with President George Bush.
However, Mary Auen that Thomas, a member of Sioux City Boy Scout Troop 225, was examined on July 24 by orthopedic and ENT (Ear Nose Throat) physicians in Minneapolis and given permission to go.
"The orthopedic specialist told us that Tom could handle the trip and picked up the phone and called the (Boy Scouts of America) Mid-American Council and said, 'This scout needs to go to Washington,'" she recalled. "He told Larry and me, as parents, that Tom needed to be with his fellow Scouts to bond and reflect."
The rub would be that Thomas -- who suffered a broken jaw, leg, hip and collarbone in the tornado -- could not physically handle the 21-hour marathon that would involve the trip for the other Scouts and staff members, Mary said. The group leaves from Omaha about 3 a.m. Thursday and returns about midnight Friday.
"Instead, Larry and Tom are flying out a day before to get situated and into a motel," she explained. "Larry will bring Tom to the airport, so he can be with the other Scouts and staff members."
Mary said many of their concerns were alleviated when they found out there will be a doctor, "who is one of the staff members" with Thomas, while Larry remains at the motel, "with his cell phone" in case he is needed.
There were no tears of joy at the sudden change in plans, Mary admitted.
"We didn't have that much time," she said with a chuckle. "We got back and had to get airline tickets and arrangements. It was quite the whirlwind."
Mary said the change in her son was dramatic, going from the "pretty devastating news" of not going to the "shining light" of the trip.
"Every day he talks about it and has been going over his atlas to see exactly where he will be," she said.
Meanwhile, Mary will keep the homefires burning. She said she compelled to call in the good news because "we don't want people to think Tom's not going" to Washington.
"I was at church today and I realized it was because of all the prayers offered for us that things just keep turning around," she said. "You hit rock bottom and suddenly, something happens to lift you back up."
And although Thomas is able to travel and participate in the D.C. trip, his injuries -- from the 145 mph winds that tore through the camp and destroyed the shelter in which he took cover -- are still in need of treatment, Mary said.
"Tom will be going in for surgery on his trachea Aug. 7 at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital," she said. "The ENT specialist will be reconstructing Tom's trachea with a rib bone and he'll need to recuperate for about two weeks to let it heal."
Thomas Auen, the Sioux City Scout who suffered numerous injuries from the tornado that killed four other Scouts and devastated the Little Sioux Scout Ranch June 11, will be going to Washington, D.C.
"He's a different boy altogether," Mary Auen said of her son on Sunday.
Initially, Larry Auen said his 14-year-old son would not be accompanying the Scouts and staff members who will travel to the nation's capital for some sightseeing, touring the White House and possibly having lunch with President George Bush.
However, Mary Auen that Thomas, a member of Sioux City Boy Scout Troop 225, was examined on July 24 by orthopedic and ENT (Ear Nose Throat) physicians in Minneapolis and given permission to go.
"The orthopedic specialist told us that Tom could handle the trip and picked up the phone and called the (Boy Scouts of America) Mid-American Council and said, 'This scout needs to go to Washington,'" she recalled. "He told Larry and me, as parents, that Tom needed to be with his fellow Scouts to bond and reflect."
The rub would be that Thomas -- who suffered a broken jaw, leg, hip and collarbone in the tornado -- could not physically handle the 21-hour marathon that would involve the trip for the other Scouts and staff members, Mary said. The group leaves from Omaha about 3 a.m. Thursday and returns about midnight Friday.
"Instead, Larry and Tom are flying out a day before to get situated and into a motel," she explained. "Larry will bring Tom to the airport, so he can be with the other Scouts and staff members."
Mary said many of their concerns were alleviated when they found out there will be a doctor, "who is one of the staff members" with Thomas, while Larry remains at the motel, "with his cell phone" in case he is needed.
There were no tears of joy at the sudden change in plans, Mary admitted.
"We didn't have that much time," she said with a chuckle. "We got back and had to get airline tickets and arrangements. It was quite the whirlwind."
Mary said the change in her son was dramatic, going from the "pretty devastating news" of not going to the "shining light" of the trip.
"Every day he talks about it and has been going over his atlas to see exactly where he will be," she said.
Meanwhile, Mary will keep the homefires burning. She said she compelled to call in the good news because "we don't want people to think Tom's not going" to Washington.
"I was at church today and I realized it was because of all the prayers offered for us that things just keep turning around," she said. "You hit rock bottom and suddenly, something happens to lift you back up."
And although Thomas is able to travel and participate in the D.C. trip, his injuries -- from the 145 mph winds that tore through the camp and destroyed the shelter in which he took cover -- are still in need of treatment, Mary said.
"Tom will be going in for surgery on his trachea Aug. 7 at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital," she said. "The ENT specialist will be reconstructing Tom's trachea with a rib bone and he'll need to recuperate for about two weeks to let it heal."
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
