Children's Burns Trust
Charlie's Story
Charlie's Story is a book written, designed and produced by Charlie and his mum Michelle about an accident Charlie had at home in their kitchen when he was just 15 months old.
Story
In 2020, Charlie was 15 months old when he was burned in an accident in his kitchen at home. A pan of boiling water spilt and he sustained burns to 10% of his body.
The burns to his right shoulder, right upper arm and right side of his body were full thickness in depth and required skin graft surgery. He sustained further burns down his right arm, right hand and neck which healed spontaneously.
Charlie spent 3 weeks on the burns unit at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and after the accident had to attend the burns outpatient department which was a 200-mile round trip to Manchester each time.
Charlie, together with his mum Michelle, have written, designed and produced 'Charlie's Story' in order to raise awareness of the everyday dangers in the home that can lead to a child being burned or scalded resulting in life-long issues, and to inspire other burn survivors and their families.
Michelle said:
Charlie loves life and is living it to the full. He is scarred for life, but he is not ashamed of his scar and is happy and confident to tell his story. I hope that by sharing our story we can maybe prevent an accident happening in another home. We are forever grateful to the incredible skill and kindness shown to us by the NHS staff at both Furness General Hospital and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Charlie received world-class treatment. We want to give back, to say thank you, but also to spare another child and family from going through the pain and trauma that we have experienced.
Order a copy of Charlie's Story
Charlie's Story is a free resource available to order via the Children's Burns Trust website here. Charlie and his family have asked that anyone who enjoys it makes a donation to the Children's Burns Trust who are a national charity dedicated to providing rehabilitation support for burned and scald injured children and their families, as well as prevention and awareness campaigns for which there is little or no national funding.
