Burn Injury Resource Center

There is an uplifting story on CNN.com today about a burn victim who is not only is healing physically from his burns, but also psychologically. Here's the proof: The boy, Youssif, was given a "certificate of citizenship" recently, which is an award for being exceptionally nice to a fellow classmate in school. Another boy got hurt, and Youssif helped the boy with his gashed arm by applying an ice pack and helping to stop the bleeding.

Youssif is proud of his award--and his family, his doctors, and his entire support system should all be proud as well. Four years ago, Youssif suffered third degree burns to his face--much of it melted, actually--during a battle among local sects in Iraq. But after dozens of surgeries in the United States, doctors have been able to reverse a lot of the horrible burn scars. Not only that, but Youssif is no longer the sad, quiet child he was in the few years after his burn injury.

Through extensive counseling with his family, he is now able to cope with the facial scars he still has from the attack, and he also has an upbeat attitude that's hard to believe. He says his looks no longer bother him, "because none of my other friends make fun of me," he says in English. His mother is so happy to see her boy like he was before he was burned. "His personality has changed so much," she told CNN.com. "The way he interacts with people, and everything else. It began as soon as he started school and realized that the children don't care about his appearance. It allowed him to have a normal life."

When CNN first aired Youssif's story in 2007, viewers around the world responded to the family's plea, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Children's Burn Foundation, a Los Angeles-based foundation that took on his case.

His mental recovery has by far outpaced his physical one. He still needs more surgeries. Treating Youssif has been challenging, his doctors say, because his skin tends not to heal well. His doctors want to slow down the pace of surgeries for now to determine how his burn scar tissue and skin will develop and change as he gets older.

He loves soccer and plays on a local team. "I never used to do that in my country," he says, "because it was kind of dangerous there." He loves the ocean, which he had never seen in Iraq.

And he wants to be a doctor so he can help others when he grows up.

If you or someone you know does suffer a severe burn injury or a smoke inhalation injury, you should call Kramer & Pollack LLP in Mineola, New York so that the personal injury attorneys in that firm can determine whether another party has legal liability for injuries suffered, and if the injured party has a solid legal case.

During this phase the patient is discharged from the hospital and starts to reenter and reintegrate into life and society. Interacting with family members, friends and the rest of the community may be difficult at first. The patient may be used to the hospital environment, leaving the hospital; they will have the fear of being rejected by the community because of their change in appearance or abilities. Other issues that face the patient during this stage are dealing with returning to work, changing their image and resuming sexual activities. Patients may develop anxiety and depression as a result of these issues.

Going through rehabilitation, exercises, dressing changes, pressure garment use, amputations, scarring and itching may all have an effect on the patient emotionally and physically.

Treatment provided in this stage begins before discharge by explaining and preparing the patient and family for the difficulties anticipated after discharge. Outpatient counseling, social skill training and support groups play a role in recovery. Family and friends' support and the patient's willingness to engage himself/ herself in society play an important role in recovery.

People are creative and can devise ways of achieving their goals when they receive the encouragement and support needed. Some patients may need more time than others to achieve their goals but every survivor can do it. Progress step by step with optimism and the right attitude, anyone can definitely get through anything.

This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.