RESOURCES FOR BURN SURVIVORS

Surviving and recovering from a burn injury is a life changing event. In collaboration with our team at the Edmonton Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit we want to provide some resources available to both burn survivors and their families. This information is to supplement the supports and education that has been provided by the Burn Team at the Edmonton Firefighter's Burn Treatment Unit.

The Edmonton Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit's team provides support and services to those from central Alberta extending north to North West BC, the North West Territories and East to Saskatchewan and Nunavut. If you do have questions or concerns on your recovery journey we recommend you reach out to your respective Burn Surgeon, or Burn Team Occupational or Physiotherapist. If you have experienced a burn in the past and are new the province and require support and interventions during your recovery journey we recommend contacting your family physician to be referred to the burn team physicians to be connected with our burn team.

Local Peer Supports

Spencer Beach

Spencer Beach received severe burns to 87% of his body from a workplace chemical fire. He was rushed to the University of Alberta’s Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit which is the number one rated burn unit in Canada. With such severe burns the doctors gave him only a 5% chance to live.

His father was told he would spend 2 years on the burn unit and an additional year at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. At the time of his incident a new medical technology became available where they cultured him new skin from healthy skins taken from his feet. This advancement greatly shortened his recovery by over 50% where he was discharged from the Glenrose Hospital 14 months after his incident. He is 1 of 200 in the world to have this life saving technology!

Spencer spent 6 weeks in coma, 9 months on the burn unit, 5 months at the Glenrose, an additional 3 years in rehab and has had 40 surgeries. With the support of his family, the caring staff of the burn unit and this cultured skin he rewrote the book on what a severe burn survivor can achieve. It his goal that his journey can make the next survivors recovery that much easier.

Find Out More About Spencer and His Supports

Kelley Falardeau

At the age of 2, Kelly was severely burned over 75% of her body in her childhood home. Her life was forever changed in that moment. It led to numerous surgeries throughout her life. Because her scars are so visible it led to a life of being highly visible, to being bullied, to being shunned, to being avoided because they were uncomfortable knowing how to talk to her, and to her not feeling wanted, needed or even loved.

But she has a beautiful story of discovering for herself that she wanted herself, she needed herself and most of that she loved herself. She became herself and she owned who she was. She was not defined by what happened to her, not by any event that happened to her.

Through her journey Kelly has become a renowedspeaker and has shared her story on an international stage and has also authored 5 books; 4 of which are best sellers. Kelly has also become a coach for other women and teens embrace their beuty through her programs.

Find Out More About Kelly and Her Supports

Spencer and Kelly have come together in recent years during Burn Awarness Week no not only share their stories with the public but also to provide education on burn injury prevention and provide a glimpse into what it is like recovering from an injury and living with scar from both a physicial and emotional level. Through their programming during Burn Awarness Week Spencer and Kelly also work on raising money for the Edmonton Firefighters Burn Treatment Society to further burn research and treatement at the Edmonton Firefighters Burn Treatment Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital.

Learn More About Burn Awareness Week

Online Peer Support and Resources

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The Canadian Burn Survivors Community (CBSC) is a community comprised of burn survivors, fire-fighters, burn unit staff, and advisors who have come together to offer support and education to any person or people that have been affected by burns.

Their objectives are to help support the development of the psychological well being of burn survivors in Canada, support the sharing of materials and programs to educate our citizens in the prevention of burns in Canada, and encourage professional development of firefighters, health care providers and anyone affected by the trauma of burns in Canada.

The Canadian Burn Survivors Community also provides online peer support groups for burn survivors.

Find Out More About the Canadian Burn Survivors Community

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Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is an American based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering anyone affected by a burn injury through peer support, education, and advocacy. Since 1977, the Phoenix Society has partnered with survivors, families, health care professionals, burn centers, and the fire industry to support recovery, improve the quality of burn care, and prevent burn injury.

The Phoenix Society has a variey of programs, support groups and education for everyone involved in the recovery process across all age ranges. The resources are not only directed towards burn surviviors but also their families, friends a well as burn caregivers.

Find Out More About the Phoenix Society

Burn Recovery Tidbits and Pearls

Looking After Healed Burns

Common Symptoms with Remedies

Dry Skin - use of non-perfumed moisturizing cream.

Itchiness - use of non-perfumed moisturizing cream, keep room temperatures cool, use of antihistamine medications.

Tightness - use of moisturizing cream, completing stretching exercises, completing scar massage.

Blisters - these are common and occur frequently. No not pop blisters. If they occur on their own apply a light dressing.

Bruises - new skin is thin and fragile. Extra layers of clothing helps protect against bumps and scratches.

Swelling - keep limbs elevated above heart when resting, use of compression garments.

Cold Sensitivity - wear extra base layers, warm mittens, and insulated footwear.

Skin Sensitivity - this is normal during skin healing, do not avoid touching skin and consult your therapist for a desensitization program.

Managing Scar

Scars after a burn injury can have a large impact both on physical and psychological health and wellbeing. Skin grafts and scar are trying to tighten 24 hours a day. Here are some tips to help manage scarring and prevent tightening.

Take Care of Your Skin - Apply non-perfumed lotion 3-4 times a day to counteract dryness, itch, skin cracking and blistering. Apply sunscreen with SPF 30+ to help maintain even skin tones.

Wear Compression Garments - Compression garments help to flatten and soften scar and can be used to improve both the cosmetic and function outcomes of scars. Contact your Burn Team Occupational Therapist regarding custom compression garments for burn scar.

Scar Massage - Completing 15-20 minutes of scar massage 3x/week helps to flatten and soften scar.

Use Prescribed Splints and Orthotic Devices - These devices can help stretch out scar and help maintain movement.

Exercises and Stretches - Exercises prescribed by your Occupational and Physical Therapists help to maintain movement and continues to stretch scar

Resume You Normal Daily Activities - Functional activities allows joints to go through normal movement patterns and continued to foster independence and confidence.