Survivor Profile - Murray Greissel

Opening New Doors

Hello, my name is Murray Greissel and many of you will have either read my story in ‘New Beginnings’ (Page 106) or seen me in “The Future Is Mine” DVD entitled ‘Survivors Share Their Stories’.  Both these support tools bring a unique perspective from the many survivors who have shared their great stories of courage and handling challenges and now glad to celebrate a new path in life.

I am very excited to be one of the BC Representatives in the Lower Mainland and part of a newly formed unique team connecting members of the adult burn community to the BCPFF Burn Fund and ‘The Future Is Mine’.   This long over due program serving adult burn survivors is a great and necessary addition for our community. I’m also here to say that with your involvement, there is more yet to come!

I myself am a long term survivor.  This year will make it 30 years since my injury. It is important to share that besides all the day- to- day usual demands of family and home… things are great! 

After my injury I believed that certain career and life plans would be shut off to me. I have learned that just because our life’s path has taken a change and that the belief that the doors that were once open are now shut or maybe harder to open… I came to learn in time that I was wrong!  They still are always open, but maybe just a little farther down that path.

All my new “doors” have been challenging and rewarding in one way or another.  The challenge may have been meeting the needs of my family, the martial arts, or custom car/bicycle building. But they always come with a happy ending.  Even my job as a fire fighter where I’m able to help others is a challenge, but very rewarding. As each new door opens I drive to find a new one just to see what’s behind it or bring a different outlook on life!

Not everyone one of us need or want to become Fire Fighters to help others, but I believe with your help and input with this program many new doors will become evident to you and many others who may have believed that their doors are closed.  I look forward to talking with many of you in the near future. 

I’m here to tell you the future is yours….. and it is bright!  if you so desire it to be!

Murray and his wife Melodie with their children

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