Burn survivors and families learn and share together

For the second year in a row, burn survivors and their families gathered together at the Toronto Firefighters' Training Academy to share their stories and learn from each other.

The day is organized by SickKids, St. John's Rehab and Sunnybrook's Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC). Its goal is to provide peer support and education for burn survivors and their families in a safe environment. A range of survivors attend, from children and teens to adults and seniors. Survivors are also at different stages of recovery, some are recent burns, and some are older.

"Seeing other people living and thriving after a burn is very empowering for survivors," says Anne Hayward, social worker in the RTBC. "And often the day is just as powerful for spouses and family members."

Keynote speaker for the day was Kim Phuc, the child in the famous photo of a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. She spoke of forgiveness. Other topics included body image, grief and loss, and transition into life post-burn. For children, fun activities and opportunities to make new friends were planned.

"The peer support is really what participants respond to and enjoy," says Judy Knighton, clinical nurse specialist for RTBC. "There's nothing like the lived experience, and the depth of sharing goes further with peers than with people who haven't gone through a burn."

"It's a patient-driven day," says Anne. "It's because of them that the day is great. By the end there is lots of interaction, and people exchanging contact information. It was also great to see that some of the people who hung back last year were participating more."

Plans are already in the works for next year's Family Day.

"We want survivors to know that there is no forced participation," says Judy. "Come to learn and listen — it is an education day with no expectations."