Burn Survivor Info
The social perception of a burn survivor is that they are socially discriminated against more than any other group in America. In public they are stared at and followed around in stores by discriminating people.
As a burned survivor myself I realized when I was young that I needed to change my own perception of how people respond to my scars. When I was young and still in trauma from my recovery, I was very angry when people would stop and openly stare. I thought that they were being mean, however after 40 years behind scars. I have learned that we all stare at stuff that is not the norm. When I am in public and I see something that is different, I am human also, my mind tells me to stop and LOOK! Why? Because we are curious creatures by nature.
So as a burn survivor, change your perception that everyone is being mean to you! Most will look until their mind understands what their eyes are seeing. Sometimes this type of reaction makes burn survivors feel that we do not belong in society. However never let anyone hurt your feelings by their reaction to your burn scars. Burn survivors must separate their scars from the person and spirit inside of them. When strangers try to make you feel bad, separate yourself from your scars. Stand tall and look into their eyes and show them that there is a wonderful loving person inside. Than most people will get over it and move on.
In school burned children are called names and laughed at. It is also very difficult to find friends, because children chose friends based on their looks and financial status. However this is the time of your life that you can become a teacher of courage and hope for other that also don’t fit into that beauty mold that society puts on children. When names are called, just let them go and be proud of the great spirit that you are. There are two most common ways that burn survivors will respond with name calling. They will either fight or flight.
NO! Stand tall and believe in yourself! There are many ways that society will discriminate against burn survivors and other groups such as woman, racial, religious believes, over weight, and financial status etc. We all belong here, so never let anyone make you feel different.
Living with scars will become very difficult to deal with at times. However try to understand that it is not about your scars, because everybody feels bad at times during their life.
I ask every burn survivor to step outside of your box and try to see and feel what the public is feeling when they see you. What do they see first? Your scars! This is a first impression society and you need to understand this fact and learn to deal with it. It is not about your scars. Beauty is from within, we all will someday, age and loose what we thought was so important. It is the spirit of a person that is the most important. The sooner we all learn this, the better this world will be!!!
Reach out and find a purpose for your injuries. There is a growing society of Burn survivors that are hidden from the world. How many burn survivors do you see in public? Not many! So try to understand that our higher spirit will guide you. Reach out and help people, be kind and believe in your purpose here. Reach out and make a difference in someone’s life.