Burn Injury Resource Center

Published on: May 24, 2010

Survivor Story

From the book I Will Not Be Broken by Jerry white.

Survivor x lost his right leg while stepping on a landmine. This trauma made him wonder how he was going to work and feed his wife and child. He had to move with his parents as his family had no home. As a result of the accident, he avoided his family, went into severe depression and drank heavily. One day this survivor met another amputee who told him that he has to return back to his normal life taking responsibility and support his family. For the survivor this was overwhelming but his friend insisted that he should do it, the survivor was encouraged and found the support and the willingness with other amputees. It took over a year, but step by step attending meetings and joining survivor support groups, the results were encouraging. With his determination and planning he started a business by building a greenhouse with a thriving tomato business and because of his honesty and hard work, his produce was sold quickly as people lined up to buy them.

He says “Thanks to the support from my community, my family has a strong husband and father again, and with my new business, our future is no longer uncertain”.

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Published on: May 21, 2010

Survivor Story

By Larry Kramer

From the book I Will Not Be Broken by Jerry White.

Survivor X was seventeen years old, on his way to work in a civil war country when he stepped on a mine leading him to the loss of both of his legs. He thought it was a dream. At the time of the explosion he tried to kill himself with an explosive lying on the ground near him but it didn’t explode. He was desperate to die as he took a gun from one of the soldiers who arrived after the explosion and begged him to kill him. Recovery was very difficult, both physically and mentally. He was able to survive with the support of his family. Of great import to him, was meeting other disabled persons. He saw how they lived their lives. It made him really happy to see people in wheelchairs playing sports in the hospital.

Although it was a long journey he was very happy and excited about many aspects of his life. He has a wife, children, a family, parents and siblings and a lot of friends.

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Published on: May 20, 2010

Cultural Shock And Cultural Sensitivity

By Larry Kramer

When patients and their families first arrive to the hospital after a burn injury, they may experience some level of cultural shock and cultural sensitivity even when they are from the same community.

These cultural differences may be stressful to the patients and their families and may limit their ability to participate in the healing process. The staff of the burn team is usually trained to handle these situations and can help with meeting the cultural, spiritual and religious needs of the patient and his/her family. When a treatment plan is made for the patient, cultural traditions can be addressed and incorporated into the plan to facilitate the healing process.

If you or your family has any questions or any concerns regarding a cultural issue, you should speak with the staff as they are there to help you and your family.

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Published on: May 19, 2010

Burn Survivors Support Groups

By Larry Kramer

A burn injury is one of the most painful experiences that a person can go through. Support groups can be helpful for many survivors. Meeting others who have experienced the same trauma may help survivors adjust to their new lives knowing that they are not alone. In these groups, members can discuss anything that concerns them or even just listen to others. Burn survivors during these meeting can share their burn related experiences and can provide support and encouragement to each other. They may discuss their fears of returning to society, the reactions of others to their scars, returning to work, intimate relationships, etc.

Various activities can be organized through the support group such as get together, sport events, educational conferences, charity work and others activities. Anyone can attend the support group meetings (family members, friends). Burn staff can also participate in these activities while reuniting with patients that they treated.

Burn survivor groups can visit other burn patients in the hospital giving them support and encouragement.

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Published on: May 18, 2010

Burn Camps in California

By Larry Kramer

Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp:

California

This camp provides preschool burn survivors ages 3-6 and their caregiver(s) with a unique three day program that helps both survivors and their families. While helping the survivors with their recovery both physically and emotionally, parents and caregivers will be provided with a program that helps them in taking care of and nurturing these children who were exposed to the burn injury.

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Published on: May 17, 2010

Burn Camps in California

By Larry Kramer

Champ Camp:

California

This camp provides services for burn survivors age 5-16, it’s a weeklong residential summer camp in which survivors can share their experiences with others who have been exposed to the same trauma as well as participating in various activities and have fun which will make them feel at ease and forget about their scars.

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Published on: May 14, 2010

Burn Camps in California

By Larry Kramer

Firefighters Kids Camp:

California

In Firefighters Kids Camp, children who have had serious burn injuries will have the opportunity to continue their rehabilitation and recovery process in an outdoor environment through this camp. Kids will participate in various activities such as boating, swimming, biking, rock climbing and much more. This camp will have a long lasting impact on these children’s life and will provide an environment for these children to interact with other children having the same challenges making them know that they are not the only ones with this injury. Many individuals generously volunteer their time and talents to staff this camp. Northern California Fire Departments conduct fundraisers throughout the year to cover the camp expenses which is over $60,000. Firefighters make-up the majority of the camp staff.

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Published on: May 13, 2010

University Hospital Burn Center

By Larry Kramer

State University of New York at Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY 11794-0001 United States

516-444-2270

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Published on: May 12, 2010

The Effect of Smoking on the Skin

By Larry Kramer

Smoking has many harmful effects on the body and health among which is the effect of smoking on the skin. The effects of smoking include:

Wrinkles and early skin aging: smoking can cause wrinkles; lines can be seen radiating from the corner of the lips and the eyes. These lines around the mouth are called smoker’s lines and are due to constant puffing on cigarettes as the smoker smokes. The lines around the eyes are called crow’s feet and result from closing the eye tightly to avoid smoke from entering the eyes. Reduction of the blood supply to the skin as a result of blood vessel construction due to smoking leads to poor circulation of the skin and decreases oxygen resulting in early aging of the skin. Changes in elastic fibers and collagen loss also play a role in early aging of the skin. Smoking causes a reduction in the level of vitamin A leading to dryness and a reduction in the moisture of the skin resulting in premature aging. Smoking can cause dryness of the skin due to the effect of chemicals in smoke leading to decreased water content and moisture of the skin. Free radicals also play a role in premature aging of skin; increased levels of carbon monoxide in the blood as a result of smoking will encourage their formation, they play a role in early aging of skin.
Smoking leads to unwanted effects including the staining of teeth, bad breath, and the loss of taste sensation. Smoking also increases the risk of certain oral diseases such as a fungal infection known as Oral Candidiasis and other diseases.

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Published on: May 11, 2010

The Effect of Stress on the Skin.

By Larry Kramer

Stress can affect the body in many ways regardless of the cause of stress. One of the effects of stress is on the skin. The following effects on stress include:

Stress causes an increased release of certain hormones. These hormones will cause an increase in the production of sebum (oil) and this will lead to oily skin. The increased production of sebum will also increase the risk of acne formation.
Effect of stress on the nails: stress can affect the nail in the way that some people when stressed they pick their nails, others bite their nails in reaction to stress.

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