At Shriners Children’s, caregivers know that when a child is facing a serious medical diagnosis, it can be traumatic for the entire family. Parents and siblings need support. They need assistance. They need a strong shoulder to lean on.
That’s why Shriners Children’s provides wrap-around care that supports the whole family. Our hospitals and clinics are staffed with social workers and psychologists – and sometimes even therapy dogs – to help families cope. Many locations assist with places for families to stay nearby, so they can remain close during their child’s stay.
But it is more than that. Our doctors, nurses and staff understand the distress families may feel during a hospital stay or clinic visit. They offer resources to help parents and patients cope with their fears and anxieties.
And then there are Shriners – dedicated volunteers who are generous, dependable and always stepping up. They transport patients, support families and quietly take care of the small things that make a big difference during tough times.
Nowhere is that kind of wrap-around support more evident than in the care of children recovering from burn injuries.
Patients with serious burns can be in the hospital for many months. Their recovery often stretches over many years as they return for laser and reconstructive treatments to improve scarring and mobility.
A burn injury doesn’t just upend the life of the child – it turns the family’s world upside down, too. Suddenly, they’re navigating a world of white coats, exam rooms and unfamiliar medical language. Both patient and family need more than specialized treatment for the physical trauma – they also need compassion, guidance and emotional support every step of the way.
Acceptance after all
Milli, 15, is a self-described thrill seeker. She’s willing to ride daring roller coasters, watch scary movies and participate in anything that takes her out of her comfort zone. But Milli’s most frightening experience was one she never expected.
In July 2024, Milli and her siblings were using a small tabletop fire pit to make s’mores. It was a windy day, so when someone added more fuel, the fumes blew into Milli and caught her clothing and hair on fire.
“I remember there was fire all around me,” Milli recalled. “I didn’t feel any pain at first, but my brothers told me to drop to the ground to smother the flames.”
Robbie, Milli’s dad, heard her screaming and rushed to her side. “It’s hard to remember everything that happened, but I immediately drove her to the emergency room,” Robbie said.
Milli was then transferred to Shriners Children’s Ohio with second- and third-degree burns to her chest, arms, neck and face. “The morning after I got burned, I looked at myself in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself,” she said. “I was so red and blistered.” Both Milli and Robbie worried about the long-term effects, both inside and out, this would have on her.
“I worried about how I would look for the rest of my life,” Milli said. “Would people accept me with these scars?”
Part of the wrap-around care at Shriners Children’s includes coping techniques to help patients not only accept but embrace their life as a burn survivor. “I had some really tough days with therapy and stretching, but the team always knew how to push me to move forward,” said Milli.
“After she was discharged, I was worried about how her wound was healing,” shared Robbie. “I called her team, and they had me send photos of Milli’s wounds. They reassured me that she was healing fine. It made me feel like even though I wasn’t at the hospital, the team was still there supporting me.” They knew how to help Milli’s dad let go and trust.
“The nurses were the ones who really encouraged me to let Milli go back to school and not worry about what kids would say about her scars,” Robbie said. “I’m glad I took their advice because she is so confident and social, despite everything she has gone through.”
“The support they gave my dad allowed him to just be a dad and be there for me,” added Milli. “The burn is something that happened to me, but it doesn’t define me,” she says. “My scars show strength and bravery and that’s exactly how I want other burns survivors to feel,” she said.
A bit of humor helps
An impulsive climb changed Nathanael’s life forever. One summer day, the high schooler was looking for something fun to do. He decided to scale what he believed were telephone poles. “I was really bored,” Nathanael said. “I had the not-so-bright idea to climb these poles, but they turned out to be power lines. I got zapped and fell.”
The accident left Nathanael with electrical burns covering 45% of his body. He was taken to a hospital in Houston, then was transferred to Shriners Children’s Texas in Galveston for specialized burn care. One of the first things he remembers after the accident is hearing the care team talk about amputating his left arm.
“I was in and out of consciousness, but I remember waking up to hear them say they were going to cut off my left arm,” Nathanael said. “I just asked if they could take off my watch first.”
That sense of humor has been one of Nathanael’s greatest strengths. He relied on laughter, creativity and determination to face each new challenge. Previously left-handed, Nathanael had to relearn how to write, draw and do everyday tasks using his right hand. With help from his physical therapy team, he is making steady progress.
Nathanael’s family was able to stay in the hospital much of the time he was there, an accommodation that was of great relief to Nathanael. It was not always easy for his mom and dad, however. The youngster was in pain and sometimes disoriented, particularly at night. Nurses Gene and Rick were always there to comfort Nathanael and reassure his parents. Nathanael’s mother shared, “To see Nathanael’s nurses so composed and competent was incredibly reassuring during this very stressful time.”
The strength to hold on
“Being a burn survivor has prepared me for life,” Tommy said. “Thanks to Shriners Children’s, I know I can do anything.”
Amid a sea of caps and gowns, Tommy stood tall at his high school graduation. He had triumphed over unimaginable odds. Just months earlier, on a dark and rainy night, Tommy crashed his car and was trapped in his burning vehicle. Even though first responders had saved his life, his healing journey was just beginning.
For six weeks, Tommy was in a medically induced coma, and he woke up in the intensive care unit at Shriners Children’s Northern California. His hands and legs were badly burned, needing surgery to save them. Tommy underwent more than 20 surgeries, including multiple skin grafts on his legs.
Ultimately his injuries resulted in him losing his right leg and fingertips.
Caregivers initially predicted that he would not walk for a year. But, with hard work and a carefully tailored rehabilitation plan guided by his physical therapists, just five months after the accident, Tommy walked with his high school classmates across the stage to receive his diploma.
“The wrap-around care, including medical care, physical and occupational therapy, and schooling, enabled our family to focus on helping Thomas and our own mental and psychological healing,” said Tommy’s mother, Maggie. “It was a traumatic time but being in such a supportive environment that cared about the whole family enabled us to transcend the trauma and recover.”
Always there for the journey
Another way Shriners Children’s supports the whole family – and stands apart from other healthcare systems – is through its dedicated network of volunteers, who play a vital role in each patient and family’s care journey. Volunteers are always stepping in to help, whether through fundraising, transportation or simply being there when families need them most.
One powerful example is Ron Watt, a Shriner from Northern California, who recently drove more than 1,000 miles in a single day to ensure a young patient could get to her follow-up appointment. He left his home near Sacramento just after midnight, traveled to remote Modoc County to pick her up, then drove her five hours back to Shriners Children’s Northern California.
After waiting three hours while she received care, he drove her home before eventually returning home almost 24 hours after he had left.
That’s the spirit of Shriners Children’s. At Shriners Children’s, no one travels the journey alone.
Paving the way for a new life
With the help of our burn care specialists, children like Scarlett and Kaiden are healing and thriving after serious injuries.
Scarlett was just 2 years old when she sustained burns to her feet after stepping into the ashes of an extinguished fire pit in her backyard. Her family had put on a backyard camping experience during the pandemic to spend more time outside. Scarlett’s experiences at Shriners Children’s Boston were so positive, she wants to know when she can go back for a return visit. Scarlett, now 7, loves dance and gymnastics.
Kaiden is back on the field playing baseball after sustaining a scald injury during a water game at summer camp. His family is grateful for the treatment Kaiden received at Shriners Children’s Boston, and for the amazing medical team. “The doctor was fun, loving and truly cared,” said Kaiden’s mom, Ashley.
LEARN MORE Shriners Children’s provides dedicated burn care services. Visit https://l.ead.me/BurnCareLocations to explore options.
