“My daughter, Brooklyn was two-months old when boiling water from a bottle warmer fell into Brooklyn’s bassinet while she was sleeping. Once we arrived at the hospital, the burn team informed us that Brooklyn’s burns covered 15% of her body and that the next 48 hours would be the most critical (as a burn can take time to declare itself). That first night was one of the most difficult nights of our lives: as new parents, this entire experience was terrifying.
After a few days in the PICU, Brooklyn was transferred to the burn unit. We had no idea at the time that we would be spending the next five weeks in the 8C Burns and Plastics unit. The hospital became like home to us. We were fortunate because we lived in Toronto, had the support of a large family and a group of friends who prayed for Brooklyn, and helped keep us positive and visited us. During Brooklyn’s hospital stay, it felt like she would take one step forward and two steps back, but slowly and surely, she began to make steady progress. One of the most difficult conversations, that I will never forget, was when my husband and I were pulled into a room and told by the team that Brooklyn’s burns were much more severe than originally anticipated. She had second and third-degree full thickness burns that would require a skin graft surgery.
It has taken a long time for me to stop thinking about the “what ifs” or the guilt that I felt for not being able to protect Brooklyn that day. One of the most important lessons I have learned through this journey is the importance of gratitude. I will always be incredibly grateful for the burn team, for the family that was with us day in and day out, and for the friends we have made along the way.” -Ashley, Mother of a Burn Survivor
