10/02/2025
A year ago today, 5-year-old Micheal Butler woke up in the middle of the night to a trailer fire, but he didn’t hesitate. Guided by faith and courage, he ran through smoke and flames to wake his parents and save his family. Just minutes later, their home in rural Jonesville, LA., was gone.
Micheal suffered serious burns in the fire, but he found healing at the Burn Center at Manning Family Children's in New Orleans. From the moment he arrived, Micheal’s care team, led by plastic surgeon Jennifer Lavie, MD, treated him with skill, compassion, and respect. Over the course of four surgeries, Micheal’s burns healed better than anyone expected—thanks in part to the expertise of the surgical team and the loving care of nurses like Jordyn Poree, who became one of his favorites.
“They took care of our hero,” said Micheal’s father, Trenten. “Dr. Lavie answered our questions, kept us informed, and helped us every step of the way. We’d recommend her and this hospital to anyone.”
Today, Micheal is back to doing what he loves: fishing, playing baseball and reminding his family to say their prayers. His scars are healing and his smile is back. His healing journey will continue with the care of the Children’s team by his side.
Read more about Micheal’s heroic story at https://bit.ly/4nw1osc
