World Burn Congress – One Survivor’s Story

Jennifer Allen-Social Worker at CRMC's Burn Unit, Mike Lopez-AARBF's WBC Scholarship Recipient, and Sandra Yovino-Nurse Manager at CRMC's Burn Unit Pose For A Picture While at World Burn Congress

Mike Lopez was awarded a scholarship from AARBF to attend World Burn Congress in Raleigh North Carolina.  Mike had an amazing time and was willing to share about his experience.  Below is one survivor’s story of World Burn Congress.

My experience at the World Burn Congress was a life changing event I’ll never forget.  It brought me together with burn survivors and care takers from around the world. There are days and nights where I feel like I am the only one who understands what its like, but at every second of WBC I felt connected with everyone. All participants who attended the conference knew what was up. I used to think that no one knew what it was like to walk in my shoes, but in the strangest way I met other survivors who knew exactly what I was going through.

On opening day I was a part of the Young Adult Odyssey. It was a lecture given by a mentor figure in the burn society. It gave all of the technical information to every aspect of moving forward in surviving your burns. Even though I feel like I already have enough motivation and confidence in myself to be apart of this support network I was still able to put in my thoughts and give some words to help others. I feel I did my part in this because I made a few statements that brought forth help on topics presented by survivors in need of some guidance.

WBC made me feel accepted in society. What helped me feel secure the most was the closing ceremony. All participants gathered in a circle over three hundred people where we held hands and listened to a motivating song that was sung by a pair of survivors. Throughout the song I looked around the circle and saw everyone connected, the feeling was so uplifting and at that very moment everyone was at peace and nothing else mattered.

I would highly recommend this event for all people in the burn society. Even if you feel like WBC is unnecessary for you because you obtain the steady emotions to press forward, you should still give it a try. Maybe you could be the one who helps motivate and guide survivors who are still trying to cope with their situation.

                                                Martin “Mike” Lopez