Lifelines (Fall 2002) - Getting Back On The Boat To Recovery

Getting Back on The Boat to Recovery
By Angela Woon

Upon hearing JoBeth Walt’s story, one might be tempted to call her a victim. Don’t. Meet her and you’ll be convinced she’s a survivor more than anything else.

Burn survivors, JoBeth (left) and Maudeane at Champ Camp, a camp for burn-injured children.

It was supposed to be just an ordinary water-skiing trip on the Delta River for JoBeth and three others in July 1984. After all, she had gone on these trips countless times before. Unfortunately, it turned out to be anything but ordinary. “We had even gone water-skiing the weekend before,” said JoBeth. “But this time, while we were gassing up at the dock, the boat caught on fire.” The accident resulted in the four of them being hurt. JoBeth suffered burns on 38 percent of her body and was hospitalized for the next two months at Brookside Hospital in the East Bay.

“I had second and third degree burns on my arms, back and legs,” said JoBeth, who prefers to be called a “burn survivor” as opposed to “burn victim.” “I had to wear pressure garments for the next year and receive physical therapy as part of my rehabilitation.” JoBeth received her outpatient treatment at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco.

As a result of the accident, JoBeth needed blood transfusions for her recovery. “I am not sure how much blood I used as I had several transfusions,” said JoBeth, Manager of Community Health and Volunteer Services at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. “One thing I do know is that blood saved my life. I am grateful to all blood donors.” Burn patients can require 20 units or more of blood components, depending on the severity of their burns.

According to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF), 10,000 people are burned severely enough to require medical attention annually in California alone. Of those, 4,500 are children. The AARBF, which was founded in 1971, works with firefighters to develop innovative programs and services for those who have been burned. The foundation was named for Alisa Ann, an eight-year-old who was fatally burned in a barbeque accident.

Fortunately, JoBeth’s story has a happier ending – she survived. The reminder scars of that fateful day have since diminished, leaving only a slight discoloration and a graft from her knuckle to her elbow. “People who meet me can’t tell that I was burned,” said JoBeth.

With all that she’s been through, many would have been deterred from ever getting back on a boat. But being the true survivor she is, JoBeth still goes on water-skiing and boating trips. “Although I have been on several trips after the accident, I won’t say that the first time wasn’t hard,” said JoBeth, who is planning on a trip this summer.

The accident 18 years ago has made JoBeth a more compassionate person and an advocate for others who, like herself, have been burned. JoBeth feels strongly about giving back to the community. She currently serves on the AARBF board of director as Vice-President, and takes a very active part in the organization by volunteering her time at their camps. “As a child, I used to attend summer camps. Since then, I’ve believed strongly that they help to build the self-esteem of kids,” said JoBeth. “This year, I helped out by teaching arts and crafts to the kids at the camp.” JoBeth is also on the Camp Tawonga board of directors, a Jewish camp in Yosemite.

The Saint Francis Memorial Hospital houses the Bothin Burn Center, which is the only burn facility in San Francisco that is verified by the American College of Trauma Surgeons in conjunction with the American Burn Association. In addition to acute burn care and rehabilitation services, the Bothin Burn Center also offers support groups to burn survivors. For more information, please contact the hospital at 415-353-6000. The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation offers activities and services for burn survivors and promotes burn prevention. They can be reached at 415-346-2860 or for Survivor Assistance, call 1-800-755-BURN.