Rhea Dyck

NOT a TYPICAL DAY

My story begins in Prince George on a typical fall day in October that was quite cold and grey. I got up early, as I did every morning, to walk with my friend Gabby’s little sister on our way to school. I was 9 years old.

This day was going to be special, as I had planned a number of fun things to do with my friends when school finished. It seemed that time passed very slowly, but finally the school day was over and at last we headed to Kayla‘s house to prepare for a Halloween party. My friend Kayla, lived with her Mother and two younger sisters a block and a half from both Gabby and me, and this was to be her first party.

What made this day so special was Kayla’s Mother had kindly invited us all to decorate for the party in their home, and we were very excited to have the opportunity to have the freedom to do this without supervision by placing the decorations where we wanted in the basement.

We put little tombstones at the corners of the room, and two candles in front of each of the tombstones. Fake cobwebs went all over everything else and looked really great! In the center of the room, there was a large table full of snacks; juices and cakes ready to be served to the guests.

The party started early, with guests arriving at 3:00 p.m. already in costume, so Kayla and I quickly went off to get into ours. The party was going very well, with all the children enjoying the decorations and the mood that had been created. Kayla and I came as princesses ~ Kayla as Sleeping Beauty and I was Cinderella (before she became a princess) so I was in a long torn brown skirt with a tattered headband.

At 5:30 all the refreshments were served and then we turned down the lights and sat on the chairs that surrounded the room with the candles burning. Kayla’s Mum had checked on us several times, but was careful not to have too much of a presence at her daughter’s first party.

I finished my cake, and as I was thirsty, so got up to get a drink and before I knew what had happened, I realized I was on fire! Screaming, panic and yelling surrounded me and I “stopped, dropped and rolled” but it just did not work. Kayla’s Mum came and instructed me to get into a cold shower immediately! I am not sure if she had to repeat it but did as she said.

They had no telephone, so Kayla had to run to a nearby neighbour to call 911, and then to my house to tell my Mum what had happened.

I remember this terrible smell in the house and awoke lying facedown in the bathtub as I passed out from shock, until the arrival of the firefighters who got me into an ambulance. When the firefighter answered my question as to what the smell was he kindly handed me a Dalmatian dog telling me it was my skin, and he began to cry.

When I awoke again from the shock of the trauma I was in Prince George Hospital. The hospital wing I was in was being currently remodeled, with debris everywhere. This required the nurses to make shift a sterile room for the time being. In the meantime my Mum was told it would be imperative to send me to a Vancouver General Hospital where they would be better able to manage my injuries.

Two hours later a doctor and my Mum were flying me on a medical flight to Vancouver, and en route discovered that BC Children’s Hospital could not admit me, so we were heading to Vancouver General Hospital Burn Unit. I again passed out from the trauma.

Now in the Burn/Plastics Ward I began my healing journey. I was a patient for almost two months. During that time I met lots of people and learned many things from other survivors. It was unfortunate that my family could not always be there with me, which is why the new Burn Building that is being planned is so important for families like mine. They will have a place to stay while their loved one is in treatment, and look forward to the day it will open.

I am also involved with The Future Is Mine, and have participated in a number of the great activities that are provided to us as members of this special community! It will be a real thrill to go to a Canucks hockey game in 2010!

I will remember October 25th for the rest of my life ~ as I had to learn to walk again given the burns I had on my behind and legs.

When one is lucky to have a strong support system you are blessed, as I most certainly was with my parents who coped and shared their strength in dealing with the emotional trauma of the situation. I will also be forever grateful to all those at PGMH and VGH as well as the PGFD and the BCPFF Burn Fund who were there for me on this journey.

Fire is not ever something to be taken lightly; it can change lives and a typical day.

STAY AWARE, STAY SAFE!

By: Rhea Dyck

Rhea in hospital	With my brother
With my Mom	Me today

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