Salamanders Young Burn Survivors > Just for You

A BURN VICTIM is someone who has been burned, but has not yet learned to live with what has happened to them; they look at what they have lost and are frustrated and angry.
A BURN SURVIVOR is someone who has learned to look at what they still have, and to feel good about themselves; who has decided to take charge of their life and live it the very best way they can.

We are "Survivors," not "Victims." It is difficult to live through the indescribable pain of being burned, the numerous surgeries and skin grafts that follow; not to mention the scars and disfigurement that may remain. However, as each day goes by, it does get a little easier to handle the pain, anger, physical and emotional scars that will be with a burn Survivor indefinitely, if not forever. After the initial pain and shock begins to subside, many Survivors begin to think about "why?" or "how?" was I able to survive. I, along with many others, believe God has a purpose for our survival. Always remember ... NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER GIVE IN AND NEVER QUIT! ~ Bill Soulsby ( burn survivor )

Pounds of Flesh by Kelley Rouse
It may sound like something from "Silence of the Lambs" but Tommy McGruder is helping to ease the suffering of many children. McGruder, who lost 400 pounds in five months, had so much excess skin hanging on him, doctors were concerned. So they trimmed 60 pounds of skin from McGruder in a 19 hour long operation. The skin was donated to St. Christopher's Children's Hospital in Philadelphia for burn victims and research. That's enough skin, doctors say, to cover a ten year old child from head to toe.

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ~ Helen Keller

Would you like to help other burn survivors by sharing your own story with them?
Find out how you can have your own page on our site.

It helps if you have a sense of humour. There was a man running for public office whose face was terribly scarred by burns, and he used as his slogan "Not just another pretty face."

Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. ~ Confucius

I'm o.k. Treat me like a kid. Just 'cause I got burned doesn't mean I'm something else. A Creature. A Monster. Poor Thing. It doesn't mean I need protection. It doesn't mean I should be hid. It doesn't mean I'm not a kid. If you can't see what's inside I might as well have died.

If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Keep your face to the Sunshine and you cannot see the Shadows. ~ Helen Keller

UK Survivors - Get paid for your story!
"Hi. My name is Gail Titchener and I am a freelance writer contributing to UK women's magazines including That's Life, Bella, Best, Real People, Chat and Woman, the women's pages of The Sun and The Mirror, as well as several teen mags. As I am always on the look-out for great true life stories, I thought I would get in touch to see if any of your members would be suitable candidates for inspirational stories for the above publications. I have written several articles about burns survivors before - including one about Beverley Hammett - and promise that all stories will be handled sensitively. Case studies must not have appeared in another national magazine and must be willing to be photographed. If their story is used, they will receive payment."
Gail Titchener: yourtruestory@yahoo.co.uk