Phoenix Society
Phoenix World Burn Congress : 21 - 24 October 2020
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Applications are now open for the Phoenix World Burn Congress 2020, which offers an incredible humbling experience, to meet and share your journey with peers alike, to embark on an adventure for 4 days that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Put into your words why you wish to attend, what you hope to gain and how you hope to give back. Applications are open until 1 March 2020.. The conference will be held at Providence, Rhode Island, USA. 
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Phoenix World Burn Congress : 2 - 5 October 2019
Phoenix World Burn Congress 2019
Report by Shari Kauri
Report by Shari Kauri
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When I applied to be a participant to attend the congress I wrote about wanting to 'Rise like the Phoenix' just like our King, Alan Breslau stated in the book named “The Beauty of Disfigurement', and that was what I was set out to do. With my life events getting in the way I came close to pulling out however thankfully my Fiance' encouraged me to attend to fill my cup up and experience this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Fast forward…. Walking towards the back of the Hilton Hotel I was a little confused as in what we were meant to be doing however as we all filled in lines behind the Phoenix Societys banner for the walk of remembrance, the bagpipes and drums started rolling. Read more... |
Los Angeles, California, USA
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Phoenix World Burn Congress : 12 - 15 September 2018
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Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
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| Report by Joshua Sade-Inia, 2018 |
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Phoenix World Burn Congress
Report by Anna Crouchman, 2018 It was a great privilege and to attend the Phoenix World Burns Congress in Grand Rapids, Michigan in September 2018. Forming part of the representative team from New Zealand, I set off having absolute no idea of the journey that I was about to embark on.
My inspiration to apply for this amazing opportunity came from my daughter Anna who sustained severe hot water burns following her hot water bottle bursting open in August 2017. The incident impacted not only Anna but the whole family and following Anna’s burn we reached out for help. From then on and to date our journey as a family has been made that bit easier with the support of Burns Charitable Trust. Initially, we felt an immediate sense of relief to discover that we were no longer alone with our journey and that support was and continues to be available. |
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When the opportunity arose to apply for the Phoenix World Burn Congress scholarship, it was somewhat last minute and late night that saw me compile my application letter and submit it for consideration. It was a great surprise to subsequently receive a phone call to advise that my application had been successful.
Roll on to September and the team were USA bound. The experiences had during the four-day congress that followed, I still struggle to put into words. There was the opening ceremony, numerous workshops to attend, amazing and inspirational presentations to listen to, open mic sessions and more. There were tears, there was laughter but above all, there was community for burn survivors, their loved ones, firefighters and health professionals.
The power of the burns survivors voice, those with visible and non visible burns impacted me greatly. Any burn sustained results in a level of trauma that is relative to the individual and there was not one story that was easy to listen to, let alone comprehend. However, to hear some individuals share their stories; speak of their challenges, their moments of despair and yet witness their overwhelming new strength and determination to strive forward was simply awe inspiring.
I extend a deep gratitude to Alan and Delwyn Breslau for pursuing their vision to create a community to support burns survivors. They have had an impact on a global scale, an impact that will continue to strengthen and grow as members of the burn community are offered a safe, kinder and more supportive world. A sincere thank you must also go to the NZ Burns Support Group Charitable Trust for affording me the opportunity to attend WBC and be part of an amazing team. Needless to say I would encourage others to consider applying for the scholarship, be it as a burns survivor, family member, carer or health care professional it really will be an experience you will never forgot.
Roll on to September and the team were USA bound. The experiences had during the four-day congress that followed, I still struggle to put into words. There was the opening ceremony, numerous workshops to attend, amazing and inspirational presentations to listen to, open mic sessions and more. There were tears, there was laughter but above all, there was community for burn survivors, their loved ones, firefighters and health professionals.
The power of the burns survivors voice, those with visible and non visible burns impacted me greatly. Any burn sustained results in a level of trauma that is relative to the individual and there was not one story that was easy to listen to, let alone comprehend. However, to hear some individuals share their stories; speak of their challenges, their moments of despair and yet witness their overwhelming new strength and determination to strive forward was simply awe inspiring.
I extend a deep gratitude to Alan and Delwyn Breslau for pursuing their vision to create a community to support burns survivors. They have had an impact on a global scale, an impact that will continue to strengthen and grow as members of the burn community are offered a safe, kinder and more supportive world. A sincere thank you must also go to the NZ Burns Support Group Charitable Trust for affording me the opportunity to attend WBC and be part of an amazing team. Needless to say I would encourage others to consider applying for the scholarship, be it as a burns survivor, family member, carer or health care professional it really will be an experience you will never forgot.
Phoenix World Burn Congress : 4 - 7 October 2017
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The Premiere Gathering of the Burn Community Phoenix World Burn Congress is an annual, international conference that brings together over 900 burn survivors, their families, caregivers, burn care professionals, and firefighters.
This year the location is Dallas, Texas, USA, staying at the Dallas Sheraton. |
Attendees for 2017:
- Peter Sharp (President, father of burn survivor) - Melissa Owen-Patterson (Board Member, Burn Survivor) - Worod Al-Tiay (Burn Survivor) - Ocean Johnson (Burn Survivor) - Braydon Warnock-Hannon (Burn Survivor) |
| Testimonials from World Burn Congress attendees |
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Phoenix World Burn Congress
Report by Darlene Fenton, 29 October 2015 So I've just had the time of my life, in USA Indianapolis at the World Burn Congress all thanks to the NZ Burn support charitable trust. Many thanks going out to use for making this happen. It really has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and a big eye opener that I will never forget.
Coming back from there making new friends listening to the different yet similar stories of our injuries, makes me feel even more connected with the Phoenix Society. I truly am greatful I got given this chance to go with the support of my family backing me all the way I don't think I would of pushed myself to go, so I'm glad they booted my backside in writing up an application or else I would of been the one wishing, hoping, praying that one day that would be me. Thankyou Delwyn Breslau and Alan for having such a vision you guys were so passionate about from the get go, it was honour to be part of this years WBC. People from all aspects of life burn survivors, nurses, doctors, caregivers up and coming surgeons, friends parents grand parents partners and siblings of survivors, all came as one networking, sharing, caring, loving, support, advice, and my take on it to feel as one without having to hide, new friendships built for a lifetime. I've lived with my scars for 30+ years and accepted this a very long time ago people at this Congress just made me feel even stronger then I already felt after leaving this. What have I taken away from this "something you can't describe in words or picture form" unless you have already been to a WBC yourself. I will never forget Indiana and the WBC and hope in years to come I she'll return. Once again thank-you to Burn support charitable trust NZ, Phoenix Society. And to the lovely ladies Mata Laakulu, Tori Blomfield, Lindsey Bartholomew and Lily girl couldn't of had a great team to go over with already missing you's. |
Phoenix World Burn Congress
Report by Worod Al-Tiay It was a trip of a lifetime, jetting out in October to meet the awesome four who I would call my family for the next five days. Ocean, Brendon, Mel, Pete, and I, were lucky enough to have the chance to fly out as the 2017 New Zealand representatives of the Phoenix World Burn Congress in Dallas, Texas.
Upon arrival, we were met outside the train station by members of the Dallas Fire Department, who took our bags and lead us into the hotel where the conference would be held. The rain that night evaporated away and we were greeted with sunshine the next morning that would last for the rest of our trip. The opening ceremony was the perfect opportunity to meet all the conference veterans (which seems to make up a large percentage), as well as newbies such as myself and the other fellow kiwis (other than Alan and Delwyn of course). We walked through a closed off street in between two fire trucks that had their ladders raised to form an honorary arch for us to walk under. We also walked in between rows of fire fighters standing on either side of the road welcoming us. We then listened to the opening speakers, who were moving and from all walks of life. After this was over, I knew it was time work my way through and meet as many people as possible. I wanted to hear everyone's stories, and listen to everyone’s experiences. I met burn survivors who had visible scars, and amputate limbs. Their stories of survival were phenomenal. I also met burns survivors with hidden scars, who you would never know had a survivor story to tell unless you asked. These individuals were just as inspiring and their stories were just as extraordinary. Through the conference, I had the opportunity to meet so many people I won’t forget, and make many friends from all over the globe. I had the opportunity to meet burns survivors, fire fighters and health care staff that each had their own unique story to tell. I was able to listen, share and learn through both the conference workshops as well as running into people in the corridor in between sessions. I am so unbelievably grateful to have received the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible event and cannot wait to share stories and what I have learned at the 2018 Taupo camp. |
Phoenix World Burn Congress
Report by Pete Sharp, President
Report by Pete Sharp, President
This is a very short report on my WBC experience in Dallas Texas, I was very humbled to attend as not only the president of the Burn Support Charitable Trust but also as a parent of a burn survivor.
Wow, what a gathering of minds, bodies and soul’s. My first experience walking into our hotel the same venue that the World burns congress was being held in was simply amazing, seeing plenty of burn survivors with visible scars and those with hidden scars sharing stories along with lifelong friends catching up laughing and having a great time.
The walk of remembrance was approximately 700 metres in length, we walked through the fire appliance ladders while greeting the Local Dallas fire department chefs and intro a conference room on the opposite side of the road, the walk this year was short due to the heat of the day at 6pm!
Having the full contingent in one room was an amazing scene, seeing or hearing the Aussies was the first thing I noticed then it was all the different races and ethnicity's. This truly is a World Burns Congress. I meet an entire family from Korea, many Hawaiians, Canadians, people from Cuba, Zimbabwean's as they like to be known as and off course Americans from every corner of their vast country. A truly humble start to what was going to be a huge few days.
I attended many sessions including open mike sessions and family of burn survivor’s series of sessions.
I cried, laughed and was astounded about the mind-blowing stories of heroics along with the stories of despair, so many ups and downs. People who attended could really openand the people who put in the most and opened up got the most out of the congress.
Schools re-entry and reintegration programs.
Talking to Christina - 2 hours
Taking to Tim - 1 hour
Talking to Vicki - 2.5 hours
Talking to various other attendees - many hours.
Open mike
Wellness centre, chair massage and cranionsacral
Talent show (Alan playing piano )
Closing event
Wow, what a gathering of minds, bodies and soul’s. My first experience walking into our hotel the same venue that the World burns congress was being held in was simply amazing, seeing plenty of burn survivors with visible scars and those with hidden scars sharing stories along with lifelong friends catching up laughing and having a great time.
The walk of remembrance was approximately 700 metres in length, we walked through the fire appliance ladders while greeting the Local Dallas fire department chefs and intro a conference room on the opposite side of the road, the walk this year was short due to the heat of the day at 6pm!
Having the full contingent in one room was an amazing scene, seeing or hearing the Aussies was the first thing I noticed then it was all the different races and ethnicity's. This truly is a World Burns Congress. I meet an entire family from Korea, many Hawaiians, Canadians, people from Cuba, Zimbabwean's as they like to be known as and off course Americans from every corner of their vast country. A truly humble start to what was going to be a huge few days.
I attended many sessions including open mike sessions and family of burn survivor’s series of sessions.
I cried, laughed and was astounded about the mind-blowing stories of heroics along with the stories of despair, so many ups and downs. People who attended could really openand the people who put in the most and opened up got the most out of the congress.
Schools re-entry and reintegration programs.
Talking to Christina - 2 hours
Taking to Tim - 1 hour
Talking to Vicki - 2.5 hours
Talking to various other attendees - many hours.
Open mike
Wellness centre, chair massage and cranionsacral
Talent show (Alan playing piano )
Closing event
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Burn support group charitable trust inc
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