Rehabilitation for burn survivors in Taiwan

A burn is probably the most traumatic experience one can go through. The ordeal doesn’t end after hospital discharge or after wounds have healed. Instead, burn survivors face the long process of rehabilitation during which they must fight against scar contracture while re-learning to live with a changed appearance. But from the struggles against these highly challenging life circumstances come growth and a new perspective on life. The traumatic experience also gains a new meaning.

This is the case of Mei-Li who sustained severe burns 20 years ago. Having undergone over 50 reconstructive surgeries and a long rehabilitation process at Sunshine Foundation, she made tremendous efforts to bring her life back on track by going back to school and earning many professional certifications. She also had to overcome the challenges posed by facial disfigurement when looking for a job but with her determination and confidence, she eventually climbed up the professional ladder and landed a managerial job. Mei-Li’s fighting spirit has touched many people and she now uses her story to encourage other burn survivors to step out during many educational activities. Mei-Li is also Sunshine’s Face Equality Ambassador, giving talks to raise public awareness about the rights of people with facial disfigurement.

“The burn injury is just another experience different from what other people go through. If you use a positive outlook to examine your setbacks and don’t see yourself as a victim, people will not look at you differently.” From helping herself to helping others, Mei-Li’s journey that started in pain now has a new meaning, as it is used to inspire and encourage many burn survivors and people with facial disfigurement: “If you put your mind to it, you can go back to school, you can become a manager, you can become a teacher. Each person has his or her own self-worth.”