Survivor Stores from the amazing survivors at University Health‘s Trauma Survivors Network!
Hello, my name is Arrianna. I am 11 years old. And I am a burn survivor.
Words cannot describe what me and my family have gone thru. The morning of September 19″ 2022 at around 5:00 am, me and my sisters were awaken with our room indulged in flames. I was the one on the top bunk, I had no way down as the ladder was on fire. Our screaming for help woke up our mom. She ran to our room where she carried me off the top bunk. My sisters got dad and we all went outside. We were all so sadden as our doggie, Chula, didn’t survive. Dad ran to our neighbors and called 911 and the fire department. It was so hard seeing our home up in flames. Ambulance took me and my sister to the hospital. Where she went in for smoke inhalation and was released. As for myself, I was transported to university hospital in critical condition. I suffered 60 percent body burns. I was hospitalized from September 19″ 2022 to October 20″ 2022.
My mom stayed by my bedside the whole time, while dad cared for my sisters at home. Daddy would come see me almost every day, as well as my older sisters. I was so lucky to have had a lot of my family visit me at the hospital. I sure did love all the gifts and attention. I was so blessed to have had the best care team at the hospital. As I still continue to see some of my care team when I go for checkups. I still have laser procedure done. My last one was may of 2024. I know I have a long road ahead of me. Myself, mom and dad are so grateful with all the prayers and help and support we got during the tragedy.
Our community all came together and did a lot for my family. But with God by my side I will continue to strive forward. I am a 5th grader. I am very active in school. My grades are very good. My side hobbies are taking guitar lessons and ballet folklorico lessons as well. Looking back at pictures I am a very lucky girl, very blessed I would say. I can’t believe I went thru so much at my young age. I would love to thank everyone that had part in my healing process.
“My main trauma was a car accident that took my right leg and right wrist from me. I didn’t know where I was going from there. I didn’t know that there was a trauma team that could help me. When I met the team, I learned that I wasn’t in this thing by myself. It was a long road. A lot of times I thought I was going to crash. I was depressed, and my anxiety was high. But the weekly counseling calls really helped out, and the team doing physical therapy helped, too. The weekly calls fed me for a week. I looked forward to the calls. That’s why I’m here doing what I need to do.”
I am thankful for the Trauma team and grateful to be a part of the Trauma Survivor Network at University Hospital in San Antonio TX. ~Bobby
“This accident was pretty hard to overcome, but the people and loved ones I had around me were so amazing. Their support helped me so much to get better. My community rallied together and prayed for me, made posters and letters for me, and showed me so much love. My family was also my rock in keeping me strong and reassuring me l could beat this challenge. My mom has also shown me that she will always there for me and it means so much. My rock has also been God, when I would have doubts and worries I would always pray about it and i would instantly feel better confiding in Him. Another thing that kept me strong was my grams. She stayed with me in the hospital, and would pray with me before bed, and she helped keep my faith strong. Overall, all the people around me helped push me to get better and I love them so much for it.” ~Cara
