Abbotsford resident Cassidy Phillips thankfully doesnsa国际传媒檛 remember much of the scalding injury that occurred when she was one that left parts of the right side of her body scarred.
But when she was younger she did notice stares of judgment and repeated questions about what happened. It was through those uncomfortable situations that Phillips eventually learned about herself and directed her to the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Associationsa国际传媒檚 Burn Camp.
The Burn Camp is made possible through fundraising events such as the Hometown Heroes Lottery.
Phillips said when she was about six years old when her reluctance to participate in a swimming lesson due to her scarring was noticed by her swimming instructorsa国际传媒檚 sister, who was a firefighter in Abbotsford.
sa国际传媒淪he brought my parents aside and told them about the Burn Camp that happens every year and that she thought I would really benefit from attending,sa国际传媒� the 2014 W.J. Mouat grad recalled.
About three years later Phillips mustered up the courage to go, and she said the camp experience changed her life.
sa国际传媒淚 really liked that no one was staring at me,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淚 didnsa国际传媒檛 constantly get questions and I was just able to be a kid and enjoy summer. Itsa国际传媒檚 nice to know there were people who had gone through the same things as me and we could share our stories.sa国际传媒�
Burn Camp is very similar to a traditional summer camp, with planned activities, sports and campfires. The only difference is that all the attendees have suffered injuries from burns.
Phillips was hesitant that first year, but she found she instantly loved the experience and returned every summer.
sa国际传媒淚 donsa国际传媒檛 know where Isa国际传媒檇 be if I didnsa国际传媒檛 end up attending the camp,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a place where I felt understood without even having to say a word. I know that it takes place for only one week out of the year, but I hope people donsa国际传媒檛 underestimate the positive effect that it has on the campers.sa国际传媒�
Phillips aged out of the camp when she turned 18, but still attends every year in her role as a camp counsellor. She said in some ways being a counsellor is even more fulfilling and adds to the experience.
sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檝e been able to see kids as young as six years old start off the week as shy or introverted and by the end theysa国际传媒檙e laughing and so much more outgoing,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淭heysa国际传媒檝e also made a bunch of new friends and they just bring that positivity home with them and grow as a person.sa国际传媒�
She said the ultimate goal of the Burn Camp is to help make the attendees realize they are more than what people see on the outside.
sa国际传媒淚 came across a quote once that said sa国际传媒業sa国际传媒檝e never met a strong person with an easy pathsa国际传媒�, she said. sa国际传媒淚t stuck with me and I feel scars donsa国际传媒檛 represent weakness but strength. At a young age I wasnsa国际传媒檛 happy with the cards I was dealt with in life but I realized I cansa国际传媒檛 change the past but I do have some control over the future.sa国际传媒�
Itsa国际传媒檚 through that attitude that Phillips has decided to enrol in the practical nursing program at UFV. She is scheduled to graduate later this year. She said her interactions with nurses as a burn victim and throughout her life shaped that decision.
sa国际传媒淚 wouldnsa国际传媒檛 have been able to have gone though what I did without the nurses that cared for me so thatsa国际传媒檚 why I decided to pursue a career in nursing,sa国际传媒� she said.
Tickets for the Hometown Heroes Lottery sold out on Friday, but there are several early bird and summer draws occurring in June and July. The grand prize draw occurs on Aug. 17. For more information, visit heroeslottery.com, or to donate to the Burn Fund, visit burnfund.org.
