Have a Fun, Not Scary Halloween

By: Amy Hengst

Halloween is supposed to be spooky in a fun way, not terrifying. But when I was just seven, my costume caught fire and I ended up in the hospital for a week.

My story will show you why it’s important to follow fire safety tips for Halloween.

Our neighbors around the corner had set up a haunted house in their garage that year. I was waiting in line and peered inside. There I saw a skeleton, lit by black–light, sitting up in mechanical slow motion.

What my mom didn’t know was the neighbor’s kids had set up the haunted

house, and had put pumpkins around the yard with candles behind them.

My skirt grazed a candle, and I looked down and saw the bright orange flames. I was on fire. I couldn’t think—I just started running.

My mother knew “Stop, Drop, & Roll” and pushed me to the ground to put the fire out. When the firefighters arrived, they held up my arm to pour cold liquid over my burns. I could see black folds of skin and grass peeling off.

After the accident, I was hospitalized for a week and wore pressure garments for two years to reduce scarring.

Since then, products like battery tea­–lights and fire–retardant costumes have become more commonplace. Yet, accidents still happen.

Follow these tips to keep your kids and neighbors safe for Halloween:

• Use electric or battery lights instead of candles.
• If you must use candles, place them carefully inside the pumpkin
• Keep lit candles out of reach of dangling clothing or props
• Supervise children carefully while setting out decorations and trick-or-treating
• Wear fire–retardant costumes
• Remember, “Stop, Drop & Roll.”
• Check that children’s costume props aren’t sharp and make sure they are carrying props safely
• Help point out and educate children about any dangers you see
• Be aware of other holiday dangers when carving pumpkins, baking, and so on.
• Use safety tools, and keep fire, hot water, and other dangerous elements out of reach.”

The Tropical Getaway 2009

The Getaway 2008 participants

The Getaway 2009

Join us for a weekend away from it all! This year AARBF is transforming our camp for adult burn survivors and their families into the “The Tropical Getaway 2009.”  Over the Labor Day weekend, September 5^th -7^th, 2009 at Camp Oakhurst, AARBF will be bringing people from all over California to reconnect, meet other families… and try something new!

Some highlights planned for The Getaway this year:

Support Groups:  Each day adults will have the opportunity to talk about challenges they face and ways they are working through those challenges. 

Kids’ Club:  Every day kids of all ages will have activities to participate in, including a nature hike, obstacle course and arts and crafts.

Talent Show: It’s back! Bring your talent and show case your family’s talents and be the star of the show.

Family Olympics: Everyone will work together to compete in the all-camp Olympic games that will involve water games, races and tons of fun.

High Ropes Course:  Participants will have the opportunity to complete an obstacle course 30 feet in the air, face your fears with your family by your side.

 

Every aspect of camp is designed to give families the chance to enjoy each other, so join us this year as we transform Camp Oakhurst into your family’s Tropical Getaway.  Can’t wait to see you and your families there!

Please click here to acces the event and the registration information.  If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Long at elong@aarbf.org or 1-888-492-BURN (2876)

YAS is where the heart is…..

Svetlana

 

By: Svetlana Granvold

My experience at the Young Adult Summit (YAS) has been an interesting one! Many youth who attend find it very favorable to their growth.

Personally, the experience has been more then a journey; it has been a fulfillment of my needs and a reminder that I need to stay on track and be happy with my life.  When I say this, I mean that the Summit has given me opportunities to seek out knowledge and experiences.  Learning how to budget, eat healthy, be positive, and to know the importance of pursuing an education are all things I have learned and taken away from YAS.

Lastly, I wanted to add that the event provided me with a comforting family feeling every time I am with my group of peers and the counselors that attend. The weekend makes everything seem like you’re at home. Home is where the heart is, and to me, heart is where the people of the Young Adult Summit are!

Giving Back Through Art

Frozen Pond by Purple Hat

When you visit the Central California office of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation you can’t help but notice the nature themed art work that surrounds the environment. Burn survivor Rex, AKA “Purple Hat,” has not only filled the walls of the Fresno office with his art pieces, but he is also having an art show where 10% of the proceeds will be donated to AARBF.

For years, Purple Hat has been trying to lighten the pain and emotional distress that burn survivors and their loved ones experience during this trying time by creating and displaying his art within the community.

Purple Hat originally had posted much of his art work in the old Fresno Burn Unit. “Unfortunately, all of that art had to be relocated when University Medical Center moved to its new location” but Purple Hat found a new home for his art pieces at the office of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation in Fresno.

Recently, however, Purple Hat’s art will be displayed at the new burn center, the Community Regional Medical Center’s Leon S. Peters Burn Unit. “I am so excited about the opportunity to give burn survivors something to look at during their long stays.”

Purple Hat is currently presenting his art show at the Fresno Spectrum Art Gallery, 608 E. Olive in the Tower District, now through March 29, 2009. He will also be conducting a book reading on Saturday, March 28, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the same location.

For more information about this art show, contact the Spectrum Art Gallery at 266-0691
To learn more about Purple Hat, visit his website HERE

Congratulations to World Burn Congress Award Recipeint

Mike and his girlfriend Stephanie, at AARBF's Get A Way, a retreat for adult burn survivors

 

 

Congratulations to Mike Lopez on receiving the AARBF scholarship to attend the World Burn Congress October 1-4, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina!

 

The World Burn Congress (WBC), hosted by the Phoenix Society, is a world wide conference for more than 650 burn survivors & loved ones, burn care professionals and firefighters.  This is the Phoenix Society’s 20^th annual conference.  It is filled with inspirational stories of survival, courage and personal growth.   To learn more about the World Burn Congress go to:   http://www.phoenix-society.org/programs/worldburncongress/

 

 

 

Mike, we hope that your experience at WBC both a powerful and life changing experience.

 

World Burn Congress is a powerful experience for burn care professionals, firefighters and burn survivors.  If you have had the chance to attend, please share your experiences about WBC and any tips for Mike to get the most out of his experience.

 

 

 

Mario Hernandez is Excited for the Get A Way

Mario Hernandez enjoying the Get A Way 2007

It is indeed a pleasure to once again be invited to attend The Get A Way (aka Family Camp).

 

The Get A Way is a chance for me to forget my scars and many of my burn related health issues and again be just like everyone else. This is a weekend when I once again feel like I can do anything I want without limits.

 

The time spent at The Get A Way is filled with fun and games. The team sports are well planned esteem building events.  The burn community is very close and the efforts of AARBF help us get even closer. This is my extended family and it grows every year.

 

This year I was invited to attend an international conference in Dallas Texas the same weekend of The Get A Way and I opted for The Get A Way because it is so close to my heart and the relationships mean so much to me.

 

If you have been before, I hope to see you there again and if this is your first time please make the effort to find me. I look forward to meeting you and adding you to our family.

 

Mario Hernandez

Families Join AARBF for The Get A Way!

The Get A Way  August 29 – September 1, 2008.

My son and I are getting excited about our return to The Get A Way (formerly Family Camp), remembering how much fun it was last year. There was so many events, various activities, games, fun sports, arts and crafts etc., something for everyone and so much more! Hope to see our old friends and meet new friends. I like the friendly/family like feeling. Cheers to the friendly, helpful and fun Get A Way volunteers, I especially like the evening variety programs. And can’t forget that the food is awesome – NO COOKING! Sounds like a ”Get A Way” to me. See you all soon! I’m ready!!!

 

Jonathan Harmom & Dottie Goulet