Survivor takes message to US
Carol Mayer (above) has never been north of Cooktown and never been south of Adelaide, but next week she will head for America.
CAROL Mayer has never been north of Cooktown and never been south of Adelaide, but next week she will take flight and head for America.
After years of wanting to attend the Phoenix World Burn Congress in Dallas, Carol will join four Australian women on an emotional journey to meet 1000 burn survivors from around the world.
“I’m getting pretty excited now. I’ve wanted to do this for years and wondered how I’ll go about it. When I put it to other burns survivors two years ago, they all jumped. Meeting 1000 people from all parts of the world is one of the greatest opportunities I’ve had.”
Carol was 33 and living in Kewarra Beach when she sustained burn injuries to more than 80 per cent of her body in a house fire in 2000. Given a 50:50 chance of survival, she spent eight weeks in a coma in Brisbane, followed by nine months of painful recovery.
She endured more than 100 operations, excruciating rehabilitation and a lengthy separation from son Zac, who was 18 months old at the time.
The people of Cairns rallied to support Carol with a new home and she in turn has provided a shoulder to lean on for other burn survivors — including those injured in the 2015 Ravenshoe gas explosion.
Her US trip has been made possible after community support, first through a crowdfunding campaign organised by Ravenshoe photographer Steven McKelvey-Vaughan and the owner of Smithfield and Holloways Beach Spar supermarkets, David Lynch.
“I’m very proud of her,” Mr Lynch says. “She deserves it.
“I don’t think any of us understand what she went through. I want to see her have something good because she does so much for others. The local community at the Northern Beaches helped fundraise as well.”
Burn survivors, fire fighters and burn centre staff from around the world will gather in Dallas from October 4-7 for the 29th Phoenix World Burn Congress.
“It’s held every year and it’s pretty special,” says Carol. “It’s going to be an eye-opener, compared to Australian forums I’ve been to with 30 or 40 people. I can’t wait to mix and mingle with the others. “It’s been 17 years for me. “I’ve accepted the skin I’m in. I’ve had so much support from people, friends and family and I’ve pushed myself to the limit. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve hurt, but I bloody well made it. I feel like I’ve beaten that burn. I’m one of those don’t-ever-give-up people.
“I think the man upstairs left me here for that reason.”