Rehabilitation for burn survivors in Taiwan

A-shan, a young migrant worker, once dreamed of supporting his family by working abroad. Although he had reached university, financial difficulties forced him to leave his studies behind. With courage and determination, he decided to come to Taiwan through an agency, planning to send back 80% of his income for his mother’s medical care, daily household needs, and to repay debts from his migration.

But life changed in an instant. A workplace accident left A-shan with severe burns over 56% of his body, including deep injuries to all four limbs. He endured excruciating physical pain and the loss of his dreams, while his family remained far away. Nightmares of the fire haunted him, and on top of the trauma, he carried guilt, homesickness, and overwhelming anxiety about his future.

When A-shan came to Sunshine’s Rehabilitation Center, he was able to communicate smoothly with staff in English. But when it came to expressing his deepest fears and painful memories, he longed to use his mother tongue. To meet this need, Sunshine’s social worker arranged interpretation support from the city’s Labor Bureau and paired him with a trauma therapist.

Through counseling sessions using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), A-shan was guided to process his traumatic memories. With the interpreter by his side, he was finally able to speak freely in his own language and express emotions without barriers. After a single session, he reported that his stress level had dropped from “10” to “3.” For the first time in a long while, he walked out of the therapy room with a smile.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a psychological therapy developed to treat trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic memories are often stored in the brain in a way that keeps triggering painful emotions. During EMDR sessions, the therapist provides bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements, auditory cues, or gentle tapping), which helps the brain reprocess these memories and integrate them in a healthier way. For burn survivors like A-shan, who experience vivid flashbacks and strong trauma responses, EMDR can bring meaningful relief and recovery.

A-shan’s story is a powerful reminder: healing is not only physical, but also emotional—and being able to express oneself in one’s own language can make all the difference.

Thank you for being part of this journey

Your generosity makes stories like A-shan’s possible. With your support, Sunshine can continue to provide not only rehabilitation for the body but also healing for the mind and spirit. Each gift you give helps burn survivors rebuild their lives, find hope again, and face the future with renewed strength.

Together, we are making sure that no survivor has to walk this journey alone. Thank you for standing with A-shan—and with every burn survivor who needs care, compassion, and healing.