MY SCARS WILL NOT OWN ME
Donation protected
I am a burns survivor and my scars will no longer own me, i will own them. Thanks to my mum taking out a loan plus some extra funds i was able to attend the World Burn Congress in America and be part of a young adult group which took me from isolation within my bedroom to a life filled with dreams and hope.. this page is to help me pay back my mum and to hopefully get me back to the world burn congress this year to continue my journey of mental healing and possiblly learn skills to help other young adults struggling in their skin back here in Australia.. dreams can come true.
In 1994, (i was 14 months old) My mother was woken up one early morning with the sounds of me crying, she had then realised that the house was on fire. The night light behind my bed had caught on fire, searching through the thick smoke in desperate needs to find me, she saw flames moving across the room.. it was me. My clothes were melted to my body, My skin resembled wet tissue paper and my bones were exposed. That night i was airlifted to hospital and was burned to almost 3/4 of my body. i had blown holes in my lungs, my wind pipe was destroyed, i lost all my toes and heals, my fingers were twisted and my little body was covered with 69% 3rd and 4th degree burns. The next two months i spent in intensive care where i fought with every breath to live, with a further six months journey in hospital..
Lets skip to where i need YOUR help. In Australia, we have burn survivor camps, we have some awesome burn survivor organisations , however, the majority are designed for children or for those that are new burn survivors and last year i had the amazing opportunity to fly to Dallas and attend the world burns congress. I was a little scared to go but the persistance of my mother and her making me go has changed my life. I was able to connect with people my age that are also burn survivors and i’ve made friends for life. The congress gave me hope for my future. I still struggle out in the world and suffer social agoraphobia but my scars are no longer going to own me, im going to own them. While at the congress i attended many work shops and its left a positive mark on me. 1000 people attended the world burn congress and for the first time the world was so much larger then within the comforts of my home. The young adult group made me feel loved and finally i belonged. But most all it has given me a purpose to live.
The world burn Congress and their adult program has given me the foundations to change my life and i really need everyone’s help to get me back to attend the world burns congress 2018 so i can continue to grow being a survivor and learn the skills to mentor other young adults in the future.
no donation is too small and it would mean the world to me if anyone who came across this page could help me pay back mum and get me back to America and be apart of my journey.
In 1994, (i was 14 months old) My mother was woken up one early morning with the sounds of me crying, she had then realised that the house was on fire. The night light behind my bed had caught on fire, searching through the thick smoke in desperate needs to find me, she saw flames moving across the room.. it was me. My clothes were melted to my body, My skin resembled wet tissue paper and my bones were exposed. That night i was airlifted to hospital and was burned to almost 3/4 of my body. i had blown holes in my lungs, my wind pipe was destroyed, i lost all my toes and heals, my fingers were twisted and my little body was covered with 69% 3rd and 4th degree burns. The next two months i spent in intensive care where i fought with every breath to live, with a further six months journey in hospital..
Lets skip to where i need YOUR help. In Australia, we have burn survivor camps, we have some awesome burn survivor organisations , however, the majority are designed for children or for those that are new burn survivors and last year i had the amazing opportunity to fly to Dallas and attend the world burns congress. I was a little scared to go but the persistance of my mother and her making me go has changed my life. I was able to connect with people my age that are also burn survivors and i’ve made friends for life. The congress gave me hope for my future. I still struggle out in the world and suffer social agoraphobia but my scars are no longer going to own me, im going to own them. While at the congress i attended many work shops and its left a positive mark on me. 1000 people attended the world burn congress and for the first time the world was so much larger then within the comforts of my home. The young adult group made me feel loved and finally i belonged. But most all it has given me a purpose to live.
The world burn Congress and their adult program has given me the foundations to change my life and i really need everyone’s help to get me back to attend the world burns congress 2018 so i can continue to grow being a survivor and learn the skills to mentor other young adults in the future.
no donation is too small and it would mean the world to me if anyone who came across this page could help me pay back mum and get me back to America and be apart of my journey.
Organizer
Tiana Joy
Organizer
Hallett Cove, SA