Robyn's Story
By Robyn & Kelli

I don't recall the exact date but it was sometime in May 1992.  I was home alone and my day began like any other day.  I did my housework and then decided that I would go out and mow the lawns before the rain came.  So up I started her (the lawn mower that is).  I guess after a while it started to sound like it need some more petrol.  So, without turning it off I began to fill up the tank.

Our lawn mower was rather old and, as I filled it, I think some petrol spilt onto the motor.  I cannot actually remember filling it up, but I do know that suddenly there was a big fireball!

We lived in a two-story pole house and I was told that the fireball was as high as the house itself.  I tried to reach for the hose - and panicked.  I ran towards the neighbours to get help and because I ran the wind caught my trousers and I began to burn.  

Thank goodness for some landscapers working up behind our house.  They saw the fireball and raced down and one of them tried to rugby tackle me - but I simply did not want to drop!  Then neighbours came, seemingly out of  nowhere, to help.

They immediately doused me with cold water.  The skin was pealing off my right hand.  One of the neighbours rang the ambulance and I can remember it taking, what seemed like, such a long time to get to the hospital.  

My partner was at work and all he knew was that the lawn mower had exploded.  So, he didn't know what he was going to find when he arrived at the hospital.  I was rushed into "A & E" and they assessed me.  I was filled with painkillers and morphine so, I was now sedated, and wheeled up to Ward 7 where they cleaned and dressed my wounds.  This was done everyday.

Approximately 2 weeks later I was assessed for grafting to see what areas on my legs would not heal by themselves.  The skin from the top of my right leg was taken and sent away to grow.  I was in hospital for, maybe, just over a month and it was while there that I meet Trish Ball who is the Field Officer for Waikato Burn Support and herself a burn survivor.  

Now my family is heavily involved in the Burn Support Group.  My partner, Paul, is the President. Being members of WBS we get to enjoy the company of other burn survivors and greatly appreciate the family days that the group hold at least five times each year.

Once I arrived back in the comfort of my own home I had to wear pressure garments, which I grew to really hate, on my legs which are required to flatten out my grafts.  I also had daily visits from the District Nurse who came to clean and dress my legs for me.

I am very fortunate in the tremendous support I received from my family and friends which helped enormously with my recovery and, for which, I am very grateful.  

In closing I wish to say that it is very surprising how many people fill up the lawn mower while it is going!

Burns Survivor:
Robyn Jones