Christine’s Journey of Healing

On August 13, 2024, under the starlit sky of my home, four hours east of Phoenix, I was tending to my outdoor fire, something I did most nights. In a split second, my life changed. My cardigan sleeve caught fire, and as I tried to smother it, the flames spread swiftly from my sleeve to the bottom of my cardigan and then to my shirt. I dropped to the ground, desperately trying to smother the flames, but they only grew around my torso.

In a state of sheer panic, I managed to tear off my burning clothes to stop the fire from searing deeper through my skin. I was alone in the yard, my husband asleep inside. I made it to the front door, my hands and body covered in deep burns. My husband, just waking, met me as I stumbled in, and we rushed to our small local hospital. Soon after, I was flown to the Valleywise Burn Center.

For over a week, my family stayed by my side, supporting me through every painful, terrifying moment because ABF was able to cover lodging and gas. When I was finally able to go home, we were faced with a difficult reality: I’d need to return to the burn center weekly, then every two weeks. The cost of travel and lodging was simply more than we could afford.

But that’s when the Arizona Burn Foundation stepped in again before we even left the burn center. They didn’t just cover our expenses—they gave us a gift beyond words. They provided a place for us to sleep and the means to make sure I could continue my critical care. Their selflessness allowed for my daughter to take me to the much-needed treatments that also taught her how to care for and dress my wounds daily. Lifting an unimaginable weight from our family and allowing us to focus entirely on my healing.

And behind this gift are the incredible people who make it possible: the Arizona Burn Foundation’s staff and the generous donors who fund this care. Their compassion and dedication gave me a chance to heal with my husband by my side. They ensured I had access to ongoing medical care that was essential for my recovery. For me, this help wasn’t just financial; it was a priceless expression of humanity, of strangers who reached out with open arms when I needed it most.

There are no words to fully express the gratitude that fills my heart. ABF not only made my recovery possible but gave me hope. Once I realized I would survive, my thoughts gave way to even the smallest parts of my life, such as the fears that my hands would be too scarred to hold a paintbrush or pencil again. But because of this foundation’s support and access to therapy, I’m relearning to use my hands and have started creating once more. I’m home, I’m alive, and I was able to watch my daughter get married and sign the marriage license. I am healing.

The Arizona Burn Foundation turned one of the darkest chapters of my life into something I could endure, and I hope one day to give back so that other burn survivors can experience the same generosity and compassion that saved me. Thank you, Arizona Burn Foundation. Your organization will forever be a light in our lives.