I created a page on facebook just for the Enduring The Burn project. I want it to take on a life of it's own, and was afraid it wouldn't do that if it was just an off-shoot of Robin Wilks Photography. I have another two survivors lined up to participate. I just need to hammer down the photo dates, etc. I am hoping with it's own page, the project might find more survivors who want to get involved.

I had a long conversation with Steve Lobel yesterday. We talked about how his project "Recognition Beyond Burned" came to be and how it has now become a passion for him. I completely understand how he feels. I just started my project and already it has become a huge part of my life. I want so badly to do justice to all of the survivors that become a part of this. Speaking with Steve definately made me feel hopeful where that is concerned. He said that he is still in contact with many of the survivors he met and photographed. That, to me, is icing on the cake. To be able to meet all of the wonderful people and tell their stories for them, and also make lifelong friends out of it. That would be a blessing! My next goal is to contact some more of the foundations that service burn survivors and find out if I can possibly send them some literature regarding the "Enduring The Burn" project. It is my hope that I will start seeing some interest from survivors who wish to be a part of this. Thanks, again, Steve for your time on the phone yesterday and your generous offer to collaborate on my project with me!

I have set up the Enduring the Burn page under the Projects tab, here on the website. There is a gallery where I will post pictures of the survivors, as I go. I have set up a form that can be filled out by survivors who want to participate in the Enduring the Burn project that will go directly to my e-mail so that I can contact them as soon as possible. There is also a model release pdf form that will need to be filled out and either mailed to me or scanned and e-mailed to me before I can proceed with any portraits/photographs.
I have also set up ads on Facebook, Craig's List and various burn foundations in hopes of finding burn survivors who are interested in partcipating. When I spoke with the Shriner's Hospital's P.A. Catherine Comroe, she said, "I think the project sounds very interesting and would be worthwhile not only to survivors but to their families." Ann Jobin at http://asktheburnsurgeon.blogspot.com had this to say, "I think its a great idea to have a book on burn survivors as it would give great encouragement and hope to people who suffer from burns." These are only a few of the e-mails I have received with positive feedback regarding Enduring the Burn.

If you are reading this blog and know of a survivor that you think would be a good fit for this project, please contact me through the website. I would love the chance to propose the project to them, as I am certain that they will feel as strongly about this project as I do!

As you can see, I have named the photo-documentary project. I wrote the intro with my part of Samantha's story already, but need to edit it. It took me a long time to write what I already have, because even after years of going through all of this with Sissy, I sat and cried the whole time I was writing. Re-living a story like hers is just as traumatic the one hundred and first time as it was the very first time. With that being said, I thought I would post the first paragraph for you. Let me know what you think.

en·dure (verb)

1.       bear hardship – to experience exertion, pain, or hardship without giving up

2.       tolerate disagreeable things – tolerate or accept something that is extremely disagreeable

3.       survive – to last or survive over a period of time, especially when faced with difficulties

 

        I titled this book “Enduring the Burn” for several reasons.  The survivor has to endure not only the physical pain, but also the mental pain that goes with living through a burn injury.  The scars run deep, again, both mentally and physically.  You have to have endurance to be a survivor.  But the survivor isn’t the only one who suffers. The family members also share the survivor’s pain.  While they don’t feel the physical pain that comes with dressing changes or therapy, they do feel the emotional pain of watching someone they love suffer through such an experience. In both cases, enduring seemed to be the best word choice I could come up with.