Abbott Reveals Severe Burns Came From Shower

SAN ANTONIO — Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday revealed new details about how he was severely burned earlier this year, saying it happened in the shower.

"I was in a shower with scalding water on my feet," said Abbott, who is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair. "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. And it resulted in third-degree burns to my feet."

At the time of the incident in July, Abbott's office said he suffered "second- and third-degree burns" after being accidentally scalded by hot water during a family vacation in Wyoming. Aides had declined to elaborate on the circumstances.

"I got tremendous treatment from the skilled experts at Brooke Army Medical Center," Abbott said Saturday, referring to the San Antonio hospital. "They had to do grafting on both of my feet, and it has healed miraculously — very, very swiftly."

The incident sidelined Abbott for much of the summer, causing him to miss the Republican National Convention and other political events. He spoke with reporters Saturday while campaigning for U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-San Antonio, his first public appearance on behalf of a candidate since March.