Survivor Support Programs
Greatly encouraged by our patients’ response to the SOAR program, Children’s Burn Camp and World Burn Congress, the DCFFBF has expanded our survivor support programs to include an Image Enhancement Program, Outdoor Recreation Program, and Adaptive Sports Program. These activities provide burn survivors with the opportunity to explore new interests, build confidence, and foster friendships. Our programs are staffed by staff from The Burn Center, volunteer peer supporters, and members of the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation who continue to look at new ways to meet the needs of burn survivors from the Metropolitan Washington area.
BURN SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUPS
The DC Firefighters Burn Foundation in partnership with the staff of The Burn Center at MedStar Washington Center host monthly survivor support groups in the Burn Rehab Gym of The Burn Center. This meeting is held every 2nd Thursday of the month (7pm -8pm), old and new burn survivors (including family members) are welcome to join the group to provide or receive support from individuals who have experienced burn trauma. There is one group for family members/care providers and one for burn survivors.
We also have a SOAR program (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery). This program consists of hospital volunteers (burn survivors) that have undergone peer support training to provide burn patients/families with emotion support and information. Currently we have 6 SOAR volunteers available to provide one on one peer support. Patients/families are can be matched with the SOAR volunteers (i.e., similar injuries, age, etc.) by the SOAR coordinators.
WORLD BURN CONGRESS
Held every year in the fall, this conference provides burn survivors, health care professionals, and firefighters with the opportunity to connect with others, share stories, and provide support and increase knowledge of burn recovery. The three days of the World Burn Congress are filled with inspiration stories of survival, courage, and personal growth. Many have described their experience at the conference as both powerful and life changing.
IMAGE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
This program offers the use of creative cosmetic techniques as a therapeutic aid for people with facial or skin differences and as an adjunct to reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. It is a non-invasive technique to increase self-esteem and ease community re-entry for both women and men. The potential benefits include:
- Helps to create symmetry of facial features
- Evens out skin tones
- Creates the illusion of features that may be missing such as lip lines or eyebrows
- Increased social acceptability
- Positive perception of self
- Increased self-confidence
BURN OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAM
The DCFFBF, Adaptive Sports Center, and burn rehab staff have collaborated to establish opportunities for adult burn survivors to re-engage in outdoor recreational activities. Participation in leisure and recreation activities may provide survivors with physical and psychosocial advantages. Outdoor opportunities for adult burn survivors are available locally as well as in Crested Butte, CO,
*For more information contact about any of our survivor support programs please contact Rebekah Allely with Burn Rehab.