Summer is quickly approaching, which means summer camps are in full swing! Summer camp is usually an extremely positive and beneficial experience for any child - but for burn survivor children, camp offers more than just fun. It provides a supportive community where they can share feelings and experiences with other children who have experienced similar trauma, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding.

In this episode, Rachel is joined by two esteemed guests, Daniel Chacon and Kristen Quinn. Both are renowned burn camp experts and board members of the International Association of Burn Camps (IABC). They delve into the benefits of burn camps, offer valuable tips on preparing your children (and yourself as a caregiver!), and guide you on selecting the right camp. Rachel and her guests also share cherished camp memories and ways to keep the 'camp magic' alive long after camp ends.

Looking for links? Check out our show’s description on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Kristen Quinn has been a passionate advocate for burn survivors and meaningful aftercare programs since 1993. She started her career as a burn center Child Life Specialist, earned her Masters in professional counseling in 2000 and spent the next 24 years as a mental health clinician at the burn center, with aftercare and burn camp as her focus. Kristen believes that every interaction, activity and discussion at camp has the ability to foster emotional growth and that camp provides challenges that allow campers to push beyond perceived limitations.

Kristen has two children who are now forging their own lives as young adults. She has been married to a fire fighter for the past 30 years. There is always at least one dog in the house. Joy is found on rivers, hiking trails, in a good book or over a great meal. Friendships mean the world to Kristen.

Daniel Chacon is the Executive Director of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, a California-based nonprofit organization that is committed to preventing burns and fires, and providing services to those who have been affected by burn injuries. Before joining AARBF, Daniel worked as an emergency dispatcher, firefighter, and high school teacher.

Daniel is a proud member of various organizations such as the American Burn Association, the American Camp Association, and the International Association of Burn Camps, where he served on the board of directors in 2016 and was the immediate past president. He is passionate about discovering outcome measurements and has partnered on numerous research studies for burn survivors. He has also presented dozens of conferences throughout the United States.

• Learn more about the International Association of Burn Camps (IABC)
• View the IABC Camp Directory
• Learn more about the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
• Learn more about the University of Utah Health Burn Camp Program
• Research: Impact of a pediatric residential burn camp experience on burn survivors' perceptions of self and attitudes regarding the camp community
• Read “Burn Camps Offer Unique Growth Opportunities”
• Read “Taking That “Camp Magic” Home With You”

Today’s podcast is powered by the National Fire Sprinkler Association! NFSA aims to protect lives and property through the advancement of fire sprinklers. Learn more about fire sprinklers, fire advocacy, and how to get involved by visiting nfsa.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

After years of hiding a prominent birthmark on her face, Paige Lauren Billiot now proudly highlights her facial difference. She was born with a port-wine stain birthmark on her face, ear, and neck, and now hopes to inspire others to embrace their imperfections.

Paige Lauren Billiot is Face Equality’s newest ambassador and in honor of Face Equality Week, we invited her on the podcast to talk about using art and creativity as a tool for social change! This year's theme is #MyFaceIsAMasterpiece, but we're taking it further and celebrating all visible and hidden differences with #MyBodyIsAMasterpiece.

Rachel and Paige talk about the challenges growing up with visible differences, how to craft a spicy response when strangers ask rude questions, and how to embrace our flaws (hey, we all have them!). Paige also shares how she started her Instagram, The Flawless Affect, her experiences working in Hollywood, and what advocacy projects she has in the works (including a doll with visible differences!).

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Paige Lauren Billiot is a birthmark advocate, model, and producer from Seattle, WA. Growing up in Las Vegas she began pursing her love for acting as a theatre major at Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts & International Studies. In 2014 she moved to Hollywood to create representation in the film and beauty industry for others who looked like her, facing industry resistance to her unique diversity. Undeterred, Paige carved her path on Instagram, using makeup, props, and VFX to celebrate her birthmark as her Superpower.

Her influence has been recognized in many magazines including Seventeen, Glamour, and Women's Health, earning her a spot on Glamour's "50 Instagrammers You Need To Follow Right Now."

When she isn’t advocating for the birthmark community, she loves taking her four cats on walks in their strollers, while expanding her chai tea latte palate and Scooby Doo collection.

• Follow Paige Lauren Billiot on Instagram (Flawless Affect)
• Learn more about Visible Difference & Disfigurement in the Arts
• Read “What is Face Equality”
• Access Our “Getting Back Out There, Tools for Social Empowerment” Course
• Follow Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors on Facebook
• Learn more about Face Equality Week
• Follow Face Equality International on Facebook

Today’s podcast is powered by one of our fire prevention partners, Telgian! Telgian is committed to providing effective and innovative fire protection, life safety and security programs. Learn more by visiting www.telgian.com.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.

Most burn survivors and caregivers can remember a special burn nurse who truly impacted and changed the trajectory of their healing journey. In honor of National Nurses Day, we’re celebrating all of the wonderful burn care professionals with Emily Werthman, Ph. D. (c), BA, RN, CBRN!

After losing her mother to a house fire, Emily was drawn to burn care and began her career as a bedside nurse. Over the past 10+ years, she has advanced her career and now holds many positions within the field, including burn program coordinator at the Johns Hopkins Burn Center.

In this episode, we talk with Emily about the trauma, compassion fatigue, burnout burn care nurses face, the recently launched burn nursing specialty certification (CBRN), and research projects involving acute burn pain and childhood adversity. Tune in to hear more about the advancements in burn care nursing!

Looking for links? Check out our show’s description on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Enjoyed the show? Tell us by leaving a 5-star review and sharing on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!

Emily Werthman is the burn program coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Burn Center, where she has been a nurse since 2012. A graduate of the Allegany College nursing program, she also holds a BA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as a BSN and MSN from the University of Notre Dame of Maryland. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland where she studies the relationship between acute burn pain and childhood adversity. Emily is the lead nurse planner for the American Burn Association where she also holds a national committee appointment to the Nursing Committee. She is a subject matter expert, item writer, and exam content review committee member for the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing’s Certified Burn Nurse (CBRN) exam. She also serves as a member of BCEN’s board of directors. She was recently appointed a special advisor to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)’s burn and blast injury special advisory group. Additionally, she holds adjunct faculty positions in the Johns Hopkins and Stevenson University Schools of Nursing. She publishes and lectures frequently on burn resuscitation, critical care nursing, and burn pain.

• Listen to The Importance of Good Sleep with Dr. Sheera Lerman Zohar on Apple Podcasts
• Listen to Beyond Survival: A Journey of Self-Love & Resilience With Michelle Escamilla Valladares on Apple Podcasts
• Visit the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)’s website
• Learn more about the Certified Burn Nurse (CBRN) exam
• View the list of the American Burn Association’s verified burn centers

Today’s podcast is powered by Johns Hopkins Medicine! The mission of Johns Hopkins Medicine is to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care. Learn more by visiting: www.hopkinsmedicine.org.

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org.