Burns victims unite to conquer injuries
AN action-packed adventure has helped North Queensland kids take their minds off the difficult road to recovery from severe burns.
The only one of its kind in North Queensland, Burns Camp NQ – Striving Deadly was recently held at Magnetic Island for nine children who were receiving treatment for their burns at Townsville University Hospital.
Accompanied by Townsville University Hospital occupational therapists and
Indigenous hospital liaison officers, the children were encouraged to participate in a range of activities including swimming, abseiling, rock hopping, rock climbing and sea kayaking.
Townsville University Hospital pediatric burns service senior occupational therapist Deb Phillips said that the camps connected children with others who had received treatment for burns.
“Some of the kids received their burns quite recently so these activities weren’t easy for everyone,” Ms Phillips
said. “The camp gave the kids the chance to be challenged and take their recovery beyond the hospital environment.
“All of the activities allowed the kids to take risks in a safe environment as well as use their independence to manage problems and feel a sense of success and achievement.”
Ms Phillips said children with burns were impacted by scarring, movement difficulty and challenges doing basic kid stuff like playing sports and going to school.
“This can have a profound effect on them when they realise they have a physical difference to their peers and cannot live life as they did before their injury,” Ms Phillips said.
“Kids are great at helping each other cope with visible differences, offering friendship and helping to build a sense of confidence in each other.”
Indigenous hospital liaison officer Robyn Illin said that it was great to see the children form close bonds during the camp.
“Some of the children on the camp were from remote Indigenous communities, and for them, these types of camps and activities do not come along often,” Ms Illin said.
“I know the children made memories that will last a lifetime and really benefited from talking about their experiences.”
The camp was funded by a Children’s Health Queensland Working Wonders with Children grant and was delivered in conjunction with the PCYC Bronhoffen Leadership Development Centre.