Donna's Story
I'm Donna Carson and I'm a Burn survivor.
On Good Friday 1st April 1994 my jealous, obsessive new partner physically attacked me, threw petrol in my face and down the front of me and ignited me.
It was not even 6 o'clock in the afternoon, with tea cooking and the washing on. My sons' Easter eggs were hidden on top of the cupboard while I lay in my own backyard burnt black and dying. My precious boys witnessing this unbelievable horror. They were 12 and 2 years old.
I had become yet another statistic of the most common form of assault in Australia - Domestic Violence.
I suffered full thickness burns up to 65% of my body - entire face, neck, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, all fingers, legs and feet. With extensive and permanent damage to throat, airway and lungs it was considered to be more merciful, more humane if I did die.
Five and a half long agonizing months in Sydney's Westmead Burns Unit with many visits to the Intensive Care Unit and then 15 months of Rehab - survive I did. Exceeding all medical expectations due to the care of many professionals and to my own dedicated army of staunch supporters - family, friends and love ones.
I have journeyed from victim to survivor in many areas - Burns - Domestic Violence/Crime - Legal System - Department of Community Services - and I now assist others who are force to endure such traumatic ordeals. It has been 6 years since the attack. I'm no longer a Kindergarten Teacher but I have never stopped teaching - I'm just in a new arenas.
As a Burns patient life became pure darkness and thick choking blackness. The horrendous pain, the anguish, the unimaginable agony is beyond words or comprehension. Having served children all my life I truly ache when imaging what a child must think while enduring burns.
I write, visit and support others I have read about in the media who have suffered burns. I remembered how good it felt to receive mail - "contact from the outside world" - while in hospital. My reward is the satisfaction of them knowing their families that they are not alone nor are they forgotten. Those who invite me to visit often refer to me as their "Hope". Hope that they to will be able to walk, talk and be "NORMAL" again one day - just like me. To them I become living proof that they too can endure and make it through the nightmare.
During the journey from victim to survivor I share with them the knowledge I gained as one who has "walked in their shoes" or more appropriately "sat in their wheel chair" or "layed in their hospital bed wrapped from head to toe in bandages." A dark journey that is often lonely, full of unimaginable pain and torment - and at many seemingly never - ending.
An important piece of knowledge I pass on during the later stages of the journey to survival is about Burns Camps.
A Burns Camp is when Burns Survivors and their families get together for a weekend and basically have a great time. Many Burns Survivors, at these Camp is when Burns Survivors and their families get together for a weekend and basically have a great time. Many Burns Survivors, at these Camps are children but word is spreading quickly. More and more adult Burn Survivors with their families are attending.
When a family member suffer burn injuries it effects the whole family network. The whole ordeal places stress and trauma on EVERYONE-mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, step-parents, nannas,granddads, uncles, aunts, on and on it goes. At a Burns Camp such people all together becoming friends immediately as they all have one thing in common-surviving burns whether as a Survivor themselves or as a family member of a Survivor. A gathering of ordinary people, from all walks of life, from all different cultures, religions, and ages who have survived an extra- ordinary ordeal. To be part of this gathering and two witness it-is pure inspirational-with each individual a triumph of the human spirit.
One year my family and I, with other NSW Burns Survivors and families, attended KIDS Foundation Camp Phoenix 2000. It was held at Sovereign Hill Ballarat and organized by Susie O'Neill and her dedicated team. The best time ever in a most wonderful setting, with fun activities and great company. We are all big kids and we are allowed to be on such Camps and we had a ball.
Burns Camps are important times for the young to be young and the more mature ones to appreciate how amazing we ALL are regardless of scars, disfigurements and differences. Burns Camps are full on - hands on - and face to face experiences. Valuable learning for those who are burnt and especially for those who are not. They gather and meet with other family members who have gone through the trauma of a family member suffering burns.
I remember the first time my mother met and spoke with another mum whose child has been burnt. My mother was so relieved to know that someone else could understand her pain and anguish of what she went through. Mum said she now doesn't feel "so alone" knowing other mothers have survived what she had. Mind you I'm 43 years old now BUT I will always be my mother's child and for her to see me hurt the way I was completely devastated her. As a mother myself I can only imagine her pain, her grief and her trauma. But the best medicine for my mum was meeting with other parents who had walked in her shoes. She met these parents at a Burns Camp and catches up with them at each Camp.
As for my two sons they meet with other children whose parent/loved one survived burns and my boys realize that what happened to their mum also happened to someone else's mum or dad. And so it goes we all support and learn from each other, assisting one another on the road to recovery - not alone but together!
I know that the children at these Camps not only studies each other but as Adult Burn Survivors as well. We are their role models. The curious questioning and looks alerts us all to the children's concerns but particular the concerns of the young Burns Survivors. The Children who survived burns worry about becoming "Adult Burn Survivors" themselves. These very brave and special children need to see for themselves, to know that they too will grow, fall in love, have boyfriends / girlfriends, have families of their own, have careers and be worthwhile useful adult members of society.
The Burns Camps, such as Camp Phoenix, give hope, encouragement, support, education, love and lots of laughter all necessary ingredients needed for recovery by all - the Survivors and their family members.
So as they say if you never never go you'll never never know...hope to see you there at the next Camp.
Donna Carson
Donna won the 2004 Local Hero award in the Australia Day Council’s Australian of the Year Awards for her work as an advocate for burns survivors and domestic violence.
She has been a part of the KIDS Foundation’s Burn Survivors Network for the past 10 years, supporting families who unfortunately have been faced with a burns injury.
Now after 13 years she has written her story with help from her close friend Debbie Ritchie. 
The inspirational book – Judas Kisses is available now at all Angus and Robertson book stores.