Reflections from the FireFighters Burn Insititute Retreat
Reflections from the FireFighters Burn Insititute Retreat
This past April, I had the privilege of attending a burn survivor retreat hosted by the Firefighters Burn Institute in beautiful South Lake Tahoe. The mountain landscape and lake was the perfect setting for the weekend. This was my second time attending, and once again, it left a lasting impact on me.
As someone who was burned as an infant, my scars have always been a part of my life. However, most of them are hidden and I went about a normal life throughout the years. It was not until the pandemic that I began to think and reflect. I decided to become a peer supporter through another organization and found it to be very rewarding.
I initially thought these type of retreats were for burn survivors recovering from a recent injury or accident. That was not true at all. There were people at all stages of recovery; burned 50 years ago to within the past year. This reminded me that healing is not linear.
There is something incredibly healing about connecting with people who truly understand—not just physically, but emotionally. We shared laughter, some tears, and so many moments of genuine connection.
One of the things that is great about the retreat is the unspoken understanding between everyone. No need to explain the stares, the surgeries, the emotional toll. We all get it. In that mutual understanding, there is comfort and strength.
I am so grateful to the Firefighters Burn Institute for creating a space where survivors can connect, reflect, and recharge. Healing is not a destination, but a lifelong journey we don’t have to walk alone.
