Teacher burned on 70 percent of body returns to work after several months

McCLELLANDTOWN, Pa. — A middle school gym teacher in the Albert Gallatin School District returned to work in August, several months after a grease fire at his Masontown home burned nearly 70 percent of his body.

George Franks III, 32, told Channel 11’s Cara Sapida on Tuesday that he suffered the injuries when he was cooking dinner in January and a pot filled with oil exploded.

"There were flames to the ceiling," he said.

Franks said he tried to run, but slipped on the oil, causing the horrendous burns on his feet, legs and chest.

"My right arm and back are the only parts of me not burned. My feet were hurt the worst," he said.

According to Franks, doctors originally told him there was a chance he would not walk again.

“They thought I’d be in a wheelchair teaching. They thought I’d never stand up and teach. But I’m here, so I’m happy,” Franks said.

Franks said he spent more than 50 days in UPMC Mercy Hospital and had six major surgeries. He also underwent skin grafts.

"I pushed myself. I didn't sit around. It happened. I thought, ‘What can I do to get better?’" he said.

Franks ignored predictions that he might not return to teaching for years.

"I told them, 'I'll be back in the fall.' I did it," he said. "I'm not 100 percent -- about 80 percent, I'd say."

Franks still receives physical therapy or massage laser treatment five days a week.

"I've been through it all. I'm living, I can't complain. I keep pushing through the pain. I've got a good attitude," he said. “I can’t explain the pain. The pain was so bad."

Now, compression garments on his legs and left arm and right hand are the only visible evidence of his injuries in class.

“Even before this, if you told him he couldn’t do something – he’d prove you wrong. He never gives up,” friend and fellow gym teacher Jeremy Keefer said.

Franks said he credits some of his recovery to the support and attitude from his students.

“I must have gotten 1,500 cards sent to me. I wrote thank you cards for days,” Franks said.

Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE contributed to this report.

WPXI