OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Dodgers and INTEGRIS Health open the 2017 “Home Run for Life” series Saturday, April 8 as part of Opening Weekend at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark by recognizing Teague Moore, who suffered severe burns in a house fire at the age of 4.
Moore, from Chickasha, was burned over 40 percent of his body during the fire that destroyed his family’s home. He would endure 14 surgeries in a span of less than six months to help his skin and body heal, including seven surgeries at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Today, almost two years after the fire, Moore is in kindergarten and enjoying life as an energetic 6-year-old thanks to the care he received at INTEGRIS.
“Home Run For Life” recognizes individuals in the Oklahoma City community who have overcome a significant medical event with the help of their families, physicians and health care professionals. To symbolize the end of their battle against adversity, honorees take a home run “lap” around the bases during an in-game ceremony.
“We are proud to continue the Home Run For Life Series this season and honor some remarkable individuals in our community who have battled exceptional challenges with their health,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “Their resolve and courage offer great inspiration for us all and we are pleased to join with INTEGRIS to recognize their triumphs.”
On a warm, rainy evening in June 2015, a fire ignited in the garage of the Moore family home where the young boy was playing with his pet dog Ranger. Moore got caught in the flames and screamed for his mother. Shelby Moore rushed from the kitchen into the garage to save her son, instinctively rolling him on the ground to put out the flames that had quickly enveloped him.
He was transported by ambulance to emergency care in Oklahoma City and later that night traveled by MediFlight on a plane to a Texas hospital.
“Things were touch-and-go in the beginning,” Shelby Moore said. “We did not know if he would survive for the first 12 days.”
After spending a total of 48 days out of state, including 32 days in intensive care, 28 days on a ventilator and enduring seven surgeries, he returned home to Oklahoma.
Upon returning to Oklahoma, Teague spent approximately two more months in the hospital during two stays at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center. When he was first admitted to the Paul Silverstein Burn Center, Teague underwent sedated dressing changings and cleanings on his wounds every few days and was fed through a tube and IV to help improve his nutrition levels as his body healed.
Once he was healthy enough for additional surgery, Teague had three major grafting sessions and was placed on a ventilator to help him heal. A few months later, he returned to INTEGRIS for additional corrective surgeries.
Shelby Moore praised the care her son received at INTEGRIS, in both the pediatric unit and the burn center.
“When we got to Baptist, everyone – I mean everyone down to the kitchen staff – was so kind and patient,” Shelby Moore said. “They almost went at his pace. The nurses and staff truly started the healing process, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever encountered in my life. They became family.”
Shelby Moore, her oldest son Trace, and Ranger were fortunate to not suffer significant physical injuries from the fire, but the injuries to Teague and loss of their family home and belongings took mental tolls on all. The staff at INTEGRIS aided them as well.
“They are equipped to treat not only the burn patient, but the burn families,” Shelby Moore said. “Everyone in the family is injured, not just the child that was burned.
“They healed us.”
The family moved into a new house in Chickasha in the fall of 2016 and they regularly return to INTEGRIS on an outpatient basis to ensure Teague’s grafts are growing with him. Shelby Moore describes her son Teague’s physical scars as “intense,” but said he does not have any physical limitations due to his injuries.
“I hope he never changes,” Shelby Moore said. “I hope he stays brave and fearless. And I hope he uses it to show the world that it doesn’t matter what you look like – that it’s your brain and soul that does amazing things.
“He is the bravest and most strong person I know.”
To read Moore’s full story, visit okcdodgers.com. Interview requests for the family of Moore, as well as INTEGRIS or Dodgers personnel can be made through the Dodgers communications department.
The OKC Dodgers open the 2017 season with a five-game home series against the Iowa Cubs. Opening Weekend begins at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on a $2 Thursday featuring $2 select beer, soda and water from our line of Pepsi and Budweiser products. Fireworks will follow Friday night’s 7:05 p.m. game. Watch Teague Moore complete his “Home Run for Life” following the third inning of Saturday’s game. The first 2,000 fans through the gates Saturday will also receive a 2017 magnetic schedule. Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. game marks the first Chaparral Energy Family Sunday of the season. The series then wraps up with an 11:05 a.m. game Monday. To purchase tickets, or for additional information, please call (405) 218-1000 or visit okcdodgers.com.