Personal Experience of Scar Management Treatment

He can see, hear and breathe, he is alive! 

 Figure 1 - (Mark Taylor (n.d) Fairfax New Zealand [image]. Retreived from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79554323/fatal-hamilton-icepak-explosion-site-for-sale-a-new-start-for-tamahere-residents)

David Beanland, a professional New Zealand firefighter, based at the Hamilton Central Fire Station recalls the day 9 years ago, when red watch crew pulled up to Tamahere's Icepak Coolstores, to what was thought to be a routine call out. But instead the entire Coolstore exploded without warning, seriously injuring seven firemen including David and killing another highly respected, experienced, long serving member of the New Zealand Fire Service.

Although David’s protective firefighter gear saved most of his body, his face, head and hands bore the brunt of the explosion. He sustained serious burns to the posterior aspect of both hands and his head, requiring skin grafts both meshed and flat sheet. and the new donor skin facilitated wound healing and increased recovery timeframes. 

Figure 2 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

David experienced functional limitations after losing his left little finger. Reporting “when trying to hold a bar of soap in the shower, you use your little finger to hold the soap, so I found out as I kept dropping the soap and I think huh and changed hands”. Having experienced initial limitation David said these did not hinder him from engaging in meaningful and purposeful occupations such as fishing and golf, as he adapted and learnt new ways of doing things. 

Figure 3 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

David recalls the Occupational Therapist initially educating him regarding the compliance of wearing a pressure garment, by showing him a picture of an individual’s scar who complied and wore the garments, verses an individual’s who did not comply or wear their garment. “Knowing the outcome is a good incentive” David reports. The pressure garment provided David with more functional movement of his hands due to a reduction in scar tissue. Reporting “the pressure garment certainly improved the results by pressing on the scar to flatten them so they are less visible”. 

Figure 4 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

David briefly remembers using silicone gel sheeting (SGS) intermittently on his hand, but has no memory of using it under the pressure garment. However, he does recall wearing it on his face under his eyes, reporting it helped soften the scar, colouring and reducing the pull (scar tightness).

Throughout David’s rehabilitation he reports “incorporating golf and fishing into his recovery as a way of using his hands to do something constructive” thus increasing his motivation and compliance with treatment. After 14 months of intensive rehabilitation David recovered and returned to work. David reports he experiences reduced movement in his hands from scarring, however this does not limit him from doing anything. With a positive attitude and outlook on life I will leave the last words to David - ‘I never look at anything as an obstacle, I always find a way around it and keep going”.

Photo below provided by David Beanland, and were taken throughout his recovery: 

Warning: the following images may contain graphic content, viewer discretion is advised.

 Figure 5 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

Figure 6 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

Figure 7- (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

Figure 8 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

Figure 9 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

Figure 10 - (Beanland (n.d) - personal communication)

Comments

  1. Unknown30 July 2017 at 18:15

    Wow, this is an amazing real life story. Thank you for sharing. How did you meet David?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lauren Bromley30 July 2017 at 22:34

      Thank you so much for your comment glad you enjoyed reading, it is nice to hear my audiences feedback. I meet David through my Father who is also a professional Fire Fighter. The first time I meet David I was 14 years old; we were completed our PADI dive course together. Having meet him in this particular context assisting in changing and shaping my personal worldview, enabling me to look at a person for more than just the cosmetic appearance of their scarring, understand that scarring is not a disabling disability inhibiting occupational participation.

      Delete
  2. Unknown3 August 2017 at 17:57

    This real life experience was helpful in showing the implications that suffering a burn has for an individual. It was also amazing to read about the key role that an occupational therapist can have when working with individuals who have experienced a burn.
    Well done Lauren on an awesome blog!
    and Thank you David for sharing your story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lauren Bromley6 August 2017 at 02:16

      Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed reading. It's nice hearing my audiences feedback.

      Delete
  3. Unknown6 August 2017 at 03:03

    Wow! this is incredible! The real life story is so helpful in understanding how OT's can work with burns.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Olivia Dollimore6 August 2017 at 15:05

    This is such an amazing story wow this really shows just how effective OT's can be when addressing and working with burns. Looking forward to reading more of your blog very insightful!

    ReplyDelete

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