The Regional Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center has just celebrated their 40th Anniversary.  
 

• It is one of only two regional burn trauma centers between Los Angeles and the Oregon border;

• This eight-bed intensive care unit treats both adults and children;

• The Regional Burn Center has been specifically designed for the care, treatment and rehabilitation of thermal, chemical, contact, electrical and radiation injuries;

• In addition to specialized clinical professionals, a Psychologist, Social Worker and a case Manager are part of the team to help patients or family members deal emotionally and financially with a burn injury.

The medical professionals of the Regional Burn Center are committed to prevention, research, teaching, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of burn injuries. The Regional Burn Center follows the established guidelines of the American Burn Association and practices in a multidisciplinary team and patient/family-centered approach.  With professional support from other SCVMC departments, including trauma, psychiatry, opthamology, anesthesia, orthopedics, infectious diseases, pediatrics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation and social services, the Regional Burn Center is able to provide immediate and exceptional care to its patients.

For more information regarding the Regional Burn Center or our services please contact Jill Sproul via email or call (408) 885-6670.

SURVIVOR STORIES

Thank you. I’ve never been one to consider myself “strong” or “courageous”. I essentially was born this way and usually shy away from the notion of being thought of in those terms. I am touched and honored, although to have my regional burn unit think of me as so.
 

I wouldn’t be here on this earth if it wasn’t for this burn center. I was the 5^th patient, injured on February 7, 1971. I was 18 months old when I reached through my crib and pulled the cord of the lamp. It fell into my crib and the hot light bulb heated up my blankets thus starting my fire. Smoke detectors were not invented yet so my parents didn’t know of the fire until smoke came through their heating vent. My dad braved the flames and found me unconscious in my crib, next to a melted lamp.
 

I was taken to Valley Med where they took wonderful care of me. My doctor was Dr. Kerr and then Dr. Pardo and Cookie was my tech – he’ll tell you he used to change my diapers.
 

I’ve been told by others how strong they think I am to go out in this world. Basically saying leaving my house takes courage. Often those wondered out loud to me and asked where my strength comes from. My answer was always ‘I don’t know. Guess I was born this way’. Only recently have I been able to apply more explanation.

Early on in my hospital stay back in February 1971 the doctors told my parents to prepare to lose their only daughter. There was little hope I would survive my injuries. Children my age with 65% body burn usually did not live. My 28 year old mom looked at those doctors and said “NO! That’s not an option.” She proceeded to re-do my fire-ravaged bedroom in pink shag carpet, beautiful white with gold fleck trim furniture. I even had the canopy on my bed. It was perfect. Her little girl had to be in the hospital for 3 months, endure numerous debridement surgeries, grafting most of the burn areas with various colored pig skin (that was temporary) and learn how to walk again. Through all that she never gave up hope. To this day she is the strongest woman I know.

My entrance into this burn world was delayed. Although I was injured at the young age of 18 months I didn’t see or speak to another burn survivor until I was 19 years old. The San Jose Fire Fighters unknowingly were an integral part in my introduction to this wonderful group. During the annual SJFF Chili Cook-off I happened to find a burn foundation booth. The folks working the booth told me about the support group held at VMC. That’s when I met Jill and Bob and many others like me. I will forever be grateful to the SJFF as they were instrumental in me finding… ME.
 

Life as a burn survivor has its ups and downs and over the years, I’ve struggled trying to find my place in this world – burned or otherwise. I am more than my burns. I lived most of my life with my burns in the background. I had established my self with friends, school, career and love life. As I evolved and matured into the burn world I’ve finally found where I fit. It’s in volunteerism and giving back. I was overwhelmingly compelled to get more involved so I reached out and a wonderful caring group took my hand.
 

Maybe you don’t know where you fit in yet. Don’t give up, keep trying new things, introduce yourself to new organizations and people; but most of all I encourage you to listen to your heart and you’ll find your inspiration. That burn foundation I found at the chili cook-off so long ago wasn’t the right place for me and I didn’t give up. I tried again and again with very positive results. I volunteer my time and talents to a couple of incredible groups. Over the years I’ve been a camp counselor for burn camp for kids in Lake Tahoe, help plan a burn survivor family camp and teach digital photography there too, teach others about the Life of Bonnie by sharing my story of growing up without a burn community support system. I absolutely love giving back!! And now am hopefully becoming invaluable to the SJFF.
 

In 1994 I spoke at the World Burn Congress held in San Francisco, still very new to the burn world and not at all comfortable speaking in front of a group. I shared a sad story or two about the Life of Bonnie; one included a horrible experience I had with my first job at a fast food chain. They wouldn’t let me serve customers food thinking I’d make them sick to their stomach. Even with that experience at age 17 and 18 (yes, it happened twice) I still felt the following:  If I had the chance to go back and change what happened to me, have me be without my scars, I would not do it. I was (and still am) happy with the person I am today and wouldn’t change anything that made me this way for the world.
 

The staff at VMC saved my life back in 1971. San Jose Firefighters saved my life in 1989 by their dedication to their community which allowed me to ultimately find my way here tonight. And my mom continues to this day to save my life through her never-ending strength, resilience and hope.
 

So I thank you VMC and San Jose Firefighter’s Burn Foundation for this humbling recognition and would like to share it with all of you and Cookie – of course.
 

Respectfully yours,

Bonnie Weatherbee