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I am a Survivor
Heroes
It takes strength within
An exclusive interview with burn survivors. May is burns awareness month and many people who suffered burn injuries do not survive or do not know where to receive help if they do.
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eing a burn survivor - It takes the strength within. She expected a normal drive back home just like any other day but found herself in a situation that changed her life in minutes. All he wanted was light in his room but he found himself fighting for his life. Lebohang Motloung (29) and Johannes Mafalo (30) are two of several burn survivors who have had to start life all over again and learn the things we take for granted. ER24 spoke to them as part of its campaign to bring about awareness surrounding burns and to let other survivors know they should not give up hope. Motloung sustained third degree burns on 60 percent of her body in December 2013. She was about 10 minutes away from home when a group of gunmen approached the taxi she was travelling in. The men started shooting at the taxi driver. One of the bullets struck the engine and the taxi caught alight leaving Motloung, who was sitting behind the driver, with severe burns. “I was on fire. I jumped out of the taxi in the hopes of staying alive. I did not feel any pain during the incident. I was taken to hospital by ambulance. I felt the pain the next day. It was only then when I realised that I had lost my skin. I was in an induced coma for two months. I was in hospital for a total of six months and in rehab for two
months after that,” she said. Much of her time now is still spent with her physiotherapist, psychologist and doctors for check-ups and skin grafts. Mafalo was 17 years old when he sustained third degree burns. Living in a rural area with no electricity, one night Mafalo decided to put a generator on. He needed petrol and went to his room to fetch it. “I did not know the petrol container was leaking. I used matches to light a candle in the room and the house caught alight. “I was burning as well. I ran outside where there was a big drum of water and threw myself in. I could not feel any pain but I saw my skin peeling off. I was taken to the hospital. Two days later I could not open my eyes. When I opened my eyes two weeks later I looked at myself. I had a pink face. I was so scared when I looked at myself. The first question that came to my mind was how am I going to face my community and friends? It was devastating,” said Mafalo. Both burn survivors took a knock to their self-esteem not only because they struggled to do the things they used to do but due to the way people stared at them. Motloung said she had to dig deep to be strong and get her life back on track. “I was in shock for a long time. One minute I could wear what I wanted to and the next minute I had to cover up because people would stare. I did however get to a stage where I would wake up in the morning and
appreciate that I had woken up. I pushed myself to start doing the things I used to do before the incident,” she said. Mafalo said his family was supportive and a teacher encouraged him to appreciate himself. “I told myself I have to be strong. I just took every day as it came,” he said. Mafalo fought all odds, went back to school to complete his matric and studied to become a teacher. “I chose teaching because I experienced a lot of challenges when I was in high school. I decided to become a teacher to change other learners’ lives,” said Mafalo. Although it has been years since his ordeal, there are still times when Mafalo thinks about what happened to him. However, he does not dwell on it. “I just continue with what I am doing. That is what keeps me strong,” said Mafalo. Both survivors advised others to find a support group. They found comfort by attending social group meetings at the National Burn Association of South Africa (NBASA). Motloung, now the ambassador for NBASA, said people from the organisation are encouraging and she was motivated after sharing her story and listening to other survivors tell their stories. Motloung, a financial administrator, said burn survivors must not give up hope. “I am doing the same job I used to do before the incident. I am grateful that the company I
work for has been there for me. While I still go to the psychologist and am still trying to ‘fix’ myself, I know I will be able to lead a normal life. I could not use my hands but now I can. I love working with my hands. I was motivated to pursue my hobby. I now concentrate on card making. I feel good knowing I can do the things other people can do. I will be able to type, drive and do everything I want to do. It is all about appreciating yourself and the little things you can do. It is something you have to appreciate no matter how hard it is,” said Motloung. Mafalo, who is married and has a one-yearold baby girl, said burn survivors must also motivate themselves. “Be strong from within. You cannot expect that other people will be strong for you while you are weak. Encourage yourself and people will appreciate you the way you appreciate yourself,” he said. Colin Lee, the executive director of NBASA, said the main purpose of the NBASA, apart from bringing about awareness on burns, is to be a friend to burn survivors. “It is a support organisation, an organisation that is willing to help people on an individual basis. We develop relationships with them. We want to be a sympathetic ear and voice. We want to be there for burn survivors like a person is for a friend,” said Lee. The NBASA provides a conducive environment for burn survivors to meet, feel comfortable, ask questions freely and share their fears and stories.
“We try to add value to that process by providing survivors with councillors. We decided to use expressive arts as a healing tool. We do theatre productions with survivors and theatre professionals. There is a message in these productions to create awareness around burns. We also developed a Fun 2 Teach programme to encourage survivors to bring about public awareness. The message is stronger coming from a burn survivor,” said Lee. Apart from support, the NBASA has found that several burn survivors are in need of financial assistance. The association tries to assist where possible. The NBASA is also trying to develop an entrepreneurship programme to assist burn survivors. Lee urged burn survivors not to feel like they are alone. “There are people who understand in a small way what you are going through. If you need to reach out, contact us,” he said. ER24 urges other members of the public to be cautious at all times and prevent burns where possible. While in some cases it cannot be prevented, there are cases where it can be. Remember the outcome of sustaining burn wounds as well as loss to property due to fires can be devastating. For further information on the NBASA visit www.nbasa.org.za or visit the Facebook page National Burn Association South Africa. ER24’s Emergency Contact Centre can be reached 24 hours a day on 084 124 for any medical emergency. §
Colin Lee, Executive Director: NBASA
Prior to working with burn survivors Lee worked with people with disabilities. While working with people with disabilities he had no inkling that burns could result in a severe form of disability. He realised that this was an area he would like to concentrate on. He started working with burn survivors in 2003. The NBASA was registered in 2008. www.nbasa.org.za Johannes Mafalo (30), Burns Survivor “I did not know the petrol container was leaking. I used matches to light a candle in the room and the house caught alight. “I was burning as well. I ran outside where there was a big drum of water and threw myself in. I could not feel any pain but I saw my skin peeling off.
Lebohang Motloung (29), Burns Survivor One of the bullets struck the engine and the taxi caught alight leaving Motloung, who was sitting behind the driver, with severe burns. “I was on fire. I jumped out of the taxi in the hopes of staying alive. I did not feel any pain during the incident. I was taken to hospital by ambulance. I felt the pain the next day. It was only then when I realised that I had lost my skin.