You Don’t Have to Heal Alone: A Concept of Post Traumatic Growth by Holly Gage
Updated: 1 day ago
The burn survivor journey can start out as a lonely one. It may even feel like a solitary process at times, especially after you leave the hospital. Your family may be there for you, but your professional care team didn’t come home with you, and what about that new blister that formed, or the insane itching? The world can seem like a big place to navigate, and those scars — do you have to explain them to everyone you meet? So you isolate and keep your world small to minimize the overwhelm.
Is this the way it has to be? Being alone and feeling lonely? Is there anyone out there you can talk to and really relate to, who gets where you are coming from in this journey?
The answer is Yes!
Healing Phoenix Arts explores the five main concepts of Post Traumatic Growth through our workshops. In this article we talk about those valuable connections and relationships.
There are many resources for burn survivors, and the great thing is many of these opportunities are at no cost to the survivor and their family, such as our Healing Phoenix Arts Warrior Scar Jewelry Workshops.
Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp at Camp Trexler in Pennsylvania is another place that hosts burn camps and retreats at no cost. The Healing Phoenix Arts team of Christopher Gage, our board member Trish Hackman, and myself were invited to their Young Adult Burn Survivor Retreat Weekend in August to conduct a Warrior Scar Jewelry Workshop where burn survivors replicate their scars into a fine Silver Jewelry keepsake. No experience needed, and all abilities welcome. They knocked it out of the park, each piece is unique and beautiful, honoring their strength to overcome.
Rise Together: Healing • Stronger • Unstoppable
This event was called “Rise Together,” and what a fitting title. The group consisted of burn survivors and camp volunteers, including retired firefighters, a nurse, and members of the leadership team, many of whom grew up together at the Children’s Burn Camp and continue to remain friends.
Each group we work with is very different, and what struck us most was how tight and loving they were with each other. They laughed, joked around, and helped each other pick the best scar location on their body to mold for making their jewelry, since the higher the topography, the more interesting the jewelry comes out. For example, Ron O’Dowd, a former firefighter, helped Mimi Long decide which of her scars would look the best.
The most interesting part was that they shared their scars with each other to use in their jewelry. For instance, Theresa Polifka Jakab, a camp volunteer, made a butterfly: “Seeing as I’m not burned, I used my friends’ scars. This butterfly reminds me of their strengths. Thank you, Clairessa Montesinos, Mimi Long, and Kayley Cline.”
Then Bruce Pollock, a retired fire chief, made his necklace from the impression of Clairessa’s burn scars. The willingness and bravery Clairessa needed to share says a lot about how far she has come, not only as a workshop participant, but as the gal who has personally grown through her experience and now helps other survivors by putting together the entire weekend retreat, and is considered an MVP in the organization.
Another very intimate act came from Kayley Cline, who made a bracelet inscribed, “I love you,” as a gift for her boyfriend, and Clairessa will share hers with her mom, dad, and son. She says, “That way, no matter where they go, they always have a piece of me.” This kind of sharing is touching, meaningful, and deeply personal.
Sarah Tasker and Abdu Elnaggar sat side by side, shared ideas, and supported each other throughout the process. Abdu confessed he wasn’t happy with his scars, so I helped him pick a really interesting one. Later, in the workshop, you would see Sarah and Abdu laughing, giggling, and having a great time. Carolina Sandoval, a competitive salsa dancer and the Summer Burn Camp Program Director, folded up her wet Metal Clay and started over several times, being meticulous at every step of creating her necklace. We were hard pressed to catch her without a smile on her face most of the day.
Malaika Menezes, a former camper, took to the process like a fish in water and challenged herself in the design and execution of her piece. We love seeing people stretch and then reach their goals, which is really what Post Traumatic Growth is all about.
Jason Bresky is the camp’s Medical RN, and you won’t see him without Danny, his ever-present companion and medical dummy. Outside of the camp and retreat, he educates first responders about how best to prepare a burn survivor at the site of an accident before transport to the hospital.
Creating Jewelry can be a Metaphor for the Healing Process
The process of making jewelry can metaphorically reflect the burn survivor experience in terms of growth.
As a new survivor works with the moldable metal used in the Warrior Scar Jewelry workshop to make the scar replica in Silver, the experience of creating jewelry is new and foreign as they have never done it before. As a new burn survivor comes out of the hospital, they enter a world of unknowns in approaching a new life experience after their burn accident.
When the pieces dry, you must be gentle while working with the Silver Metal Clay, as it is more fragile in the greenware stage, but can be sanded and shaped. Like the healing process; a burn survivor is more fragile in the beginning, but as they continue to heal, they can shape and refine their future.
Pieces are put in the kiln, and within the chambers of the kiln the pieces actually get fired up with a small flame, sintering together to form a solid piece of precious Silver. The jewelry is no longer fragile and is stronger and more resilient. In a sense, they come out fire-polished. A burn survivor is also touched deeply by burns, and what can happen if they go through the process of Post Traumatic Growth is a person who is stronger, more resilient, and can shine bright like polished silver.
The Hearts and Sequins Circle
The connections made in the workshop setting and in group circle discussions create real moments of celebration, and we honor each other and their contributions to the world with a sequin toss. The glass-fused hearts given to each burn survivor come with an affirming message to kick off conversation. Talented Healing Phoenix Arts volunteer, Sherry Viktora, lovingly made them. They serve as a touchstone reminding everyone they are loved and valued for who they are and as they are. The jewelry is a testament to their beauty and how far they have come in their journey.
Post Traumatic Growth Takeaway — Valuing Strong Relationships
We were surrounded by people who were relaxed, confident, and open. Is there a possibility of happiness for those who survived one of the worst days of their lives? Healing grows when you allow others into your circle to encourage you, support you, and walk beside you as you do the same for them. When you open up and try something new, like connecting with other burn survivors and building strong relationships, you can open up valuable pathways to empathy, understanding, and growth.
They found community. They found people they could share their story, struggles, pain, and laughter with. The Warrior Scar Jewelry Workshop is where they can make true connections, where people can talk about their scars openly, share in their experiences, and be real about their journey.
Have you found your people? Try finding a support group in your area through your hospital or the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors. Look for Burn Camps for Children and Young Adult Retreats like the one’s held by Aurthur C. Luf. You’ll also find Adult Burn Survivor and Family Retreats. If you have a support group that could benefit from a Post Traumatic Growth experience through our Warrior Scar Jewelry or Wellness workshops, please contact Holly Gage at 717-445-5755 or go to HealingPhoenixArts.org.
We’d like to thank the Portland Firefighters Children’s Burn Foundation for funding this workshop, and Rise Together Young Adult Burn Survivors Retreat, and Camp Trexler for hosting us. Although there is no cost for burn survivors, we know how hard the people behind the scenes work to make an event like this happen. We’d also like to give a shout-out to Rio Grande Jewelry Supply and Art Clay World for helping with some of the materials our warriors need and supporting them as they heal through this valuable program. We couldn’t do this without you!
If you would like to help a burn survivor heal and move forward with confidence and pride, consider donating or contributing to the wishlist at HealingPhoenixArts.org.
Comments