Survivor of 85% Burns Rebuilds Life, Helps Feed US Students

Joey Brown, who survived a 1988 gas explosion that left burns across 85% of his body, is rebuilding his independence while working in a Georgia high school cafeteria. According to reports published by CBS Atlanta and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), Brown's journey involved decades of medical procedures, rehabilitation, and finding a supportive community.

A Life-Changing Accident

In 1988, Brown was living in Winter Garden, Florida, when he lit a cigarette in an apartment he shared with his brother. The flame ignited gas leak fumes, causing an explosion that knocked him unconscious. Airlifted to a hospital in Orlando, he sustained severe burns over 85% of his body. Over a two-and-a-half-year hospital stay, he underwent numerous surgeries, eventually losing his left arm at the elbow and four fingers on his right hand.

Finding Community and Employment

For years, Brown faced physical and emotional hurdles, often hiding from public view to avoid stares. Eventually, his involvement with Midway Church in Villa Rica, Georgia, helped him build relationships and find a sense of belonging. With encouragement from church members and support from the GVRA and the Wiregrass Resource Group, Brown reconnected with vocational services in March 2024.

Job coach Kehli Pope assisted him in navigating employment hurdles, including securing an alternative to fingerprint-based background checks due to his injury-related lack of fingerprints. Brown began working at Central High School in Carrollton, Georgia, operating commercial dishwashers and assisting coworkers. After the school term ended in May 2026, he also contributed to the district's summer meal programme.

Looking Toward the Future

With newly found financial stability, Brown has set goals for further independence. GVRA reported that he has lived with his sister for 14 years and is currently saving to purchase a home by December 2026, with community fundraisers also assisting. He plans to adopt a beagle named Snoopy.

• Verification: Readers can verify original statements through the documented coverage by CBS Atlanta and official releases from the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.
• Support: Community members and local organizations continue to aid Brown's transition toward independent living.