A Burn Survivors Guide

In the United States, approximately 2.4 million burn injuries are reported per year. Approximately 650,000 of the injuries are treated by medical professionals; 75,000 are hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 have major burns involving at least 25% of their total body surface. Between 8,000 and 12,000 of patients with burns die, and approximately one million will sustain substantial or permanent disabilities resulting from their burn injury. (Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, May/June 1992). Fifty percent burns on a person could result in a two months of skin grafts and physical therapy in a hospital. Although the physical wounds may heal, the psychological wounds may take much longer, if ever.

Burns are one of the most expensive catastrophic injuries to treat. For a burn of 30% of total body area can cost as much as $200,000 in initial hospitalization costs and for physicians fees. For extensive burns, there are additional significant costs which will include costs for repeat admission for reconstruction and for rehabilitation. The burn victims now face a long and often excruciating recovery. The recovery period for burn patients is estimated as the same number of days as the percent of the body burned.

Each and every burn accident is a horrific event. The victims life is totally rearranged. The body is damaged and mind is challenged. Many Americans are disturbed by a little weight gain or acne related blemishes. Imagine that the largest, most visible organ on the body is damaged and disfigured by an alarming amount. Imagine your face totally rearranged, marked or scarred forever. You can't sweat through your scars, the sun damages it worse, and people stare at you and ask, "what is that?" Would that effect your life? This would be difficult for an adult, but what happens to a child.

The January 5th, 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reported on the long-term outcomes of 80 children treated for massive burns - involving 70% or more of the body surface. One of the group apparently committed suicide. Not only is the pain excruciating, the scars can be an embarrassment. It is ugly. It is bumpy. It is hard as a board. The skin pulls so tight that your joints hurt and will probably result in arthritis.

Thirty years ago, I personally went through a terrible fire accident leaving me with over 30% of my body damaged by fire. I know the physical and mental agony that these types of accidents

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