Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ends mystery about burns

[TexasTowelie]

After months remaining mum on how he was burned so badly he required emergency treatment and had to sit out July’s Republican National Convention, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott explained Saturday that it happened while he was taking a shower while vacationing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

“I was in a shower with scalding water on my feet,” he said. “Because of my paralysis, I couldn’t feel the burns that were taking place. And as a consequence, it was like having my feet in scalding water for several minutes.”

The hot water left Abbott’s feet covered with third-degree burns.

“I got tremendous treatment from the skilled experts at Brooke Army Medical Center,” he said. “They had to do grafting on both of my feet, and it has healed miraculously.”

Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Abbott-ends-mystery-says-he-was-burned-in-the-9229439.php

[Demit]

1. Well, why wouldn't he say so at the time?? The whole thing is still weird.

[Warpy]

2. Yeah, and why didn't he feel how hot the water was elsewhere?

And since when is he paralyzed?

The whole story stinks to high heaven.

[TexasTowelie]

3. He was paralyzed about 30 years ago

when he was out running in a storm and was hit by a falling tree. He received a $10 million dollar settlement and went to work as an advocate on tort reform so other people who are injured wouldn't get their day in court like he did.

Yes, he should have checked the temperature of the water with his hands before he exposed the paralyzed portions of his body to the scalding water.

Both incidents indicate that he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

[Warpy]

4. I knew he was a dirtbag but that's a special kind of dirtbag

"I got mine, fuck you" sums up his whole political philosophy.

Who did he sue? A tree falling in a storm would seem to fall under the "act of god" designation. He sued god?

[TexasTowelie]

5. He sued the homeowner and the tree care company.

I also checked and it was actually a falling tree branch and it occurred on a windy day. He was jogging in the River Oaks subdivision so the homeowner had deep pockets and could afford to have an insurance policy with high limits. The accident also caused kidney damage. It is certainly a weird set of circumstances though.

[SusanCalvin]

10. And then pushed "tort reform."

I hate that €¥£¢.

[Travis_0004]

7. It depends on the tree

A healthy tree falling down is an act of god. A dead tree falling down is negligence. (and one can sue the homeowner)

[DarthDem]

8. Thanks for the Detailed Facts

I'm sorry he's disabled, but your (wonderfully biting) aside about him immediately becoming a tort reform advocate is so spot-on. IIRC he was also a Texas high court (not sure which of the two, civil or criminal) or appeals court justice before job-jumping twice since, and isn't he also partially responsible for the "rise" of the despicable Cruz? Great guy.

[Spiggitzfan]

11. He also did not lack for medical care...

...health insurance, or the money and privilege to be able to have a successful life & political career- during which he has devoted himself to depriving Texans less fortunate of access to medical care. A "Christian" "pro-life" Republican governor in a wheelchair who gets his jollies being one of the last holdouts against Medicaid expansion. His budget cuts are squeezing nursing homes so hard that nurses are leaving to work at Wendy's - because they make more money in fast food! Patient injuries are up; turnover is 98% at some places (meaning every year you have an almost entirely different staff). Hospitals in smaller towns are closing.
But you're right about Greg Abbott. He got his. And as for the rest of Texas? He just plain Does Not Care.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. He's obviously not fit to be governor

because he's not been transparent about his health!

[LeftInTX]

12. Good one!!!!!!!!!

[czarjak]

9. Always a transplant match for Ted Nugent....

His "blood brother".