Share

Woman burned from head to toe as a kid learns to love herself

accreditation
PHOTO: Magazine Features
PHOTO: Magazine Features

Heather Schindle was only five years old when life as she knew it changed forever.

On January 21, 1995, Heather – who is from Wisconsin in the US – asked her mother if she could play outside with the family dog. She went to an outbuilding where her family used as a storeroom and took a coffee canister full of gas to the fire outside the building.

Next thing she knew she was on fire from head to toe.

“I ran back to the house completely on fire and started banging on the door,” says Heather, who is now a stylist.

“It felt like a week before someone answered, and I heard a horrifying scream coming from my mom. My family put out the flames, took off my burnt clothes and wrapped me in a towel.”

She recalls being terrified.

“They called my grandpa who lived only a few kilometres away,” she says. “He put me in his car and I turned to my mom and asked,  ‘Am I going to die?’ She said no but I could tell in her voice that she wasn’t sure.”

Heather was later transported to another hospital by helicopter and went into surgery, emerging 18 hours later.

“I had over three thousand stitches in my body, five-hundred staples in my back and four bolts in my head.”

Heather spent weeks in hospital and months in rehab and then returned to school – only to be bullied because of her appearance.

“If I’m being honest, it sucked to grow up as a burn survivor,” says Heather (now 28).

“First, because people would rather stare at you thinking it’s less rude than just asking what happened.

“Second, I was made fun of by strangers which hurt even more. Three, I had the worst self-esteem and cried myself to sleep most nights.

“I had to miss a lot of school for surgeries and because I got sick easily.”

She was so depressed she considered suicide as the taunting continued.

“I have been asked if my lips hurt, if I was dressed up for Halloween, and if I’m Freddie Krueger’s daughter.

“I hated how I looked and felt about myself,” she said.

But then something happened that changed the way she thought about herself. While in college Heather was introduced to her current boyfriend by one of her roommates, who helped her see the beauty in herself.

“We initially met over texting then on July 2009, we met in person when he picked me up at the airport,” Heather says.

“Since then we have been together. After three weeks of dating, he accompanied me surgery. He was incredible during this time.

“My lips were swollen and I was all stitched up, but he took care of me and always told me I was beautiful.

“No matter what I look like, he always tells me I am sexy and beautiful – and trust me there are times I didn’t look or feel beautiful.”

Heather adds her boyfriend has been instrumental in her beginning to see the beauty in herself and she thanks him for playing that role in her life.

She was also motivated to go to counselling in an attempt to overcome her mental scars.

“That was the hardest part, dealing with it on my own. I wish I asked for help, but I slowly started to view myself in a different light and now I am stronger than ever.

“I can’t forget what happened but I can refuse to let what has happened affect my future.”

Heather has now overcome her insecurities and seeks to motivate others.

“My advice is to forgive. No matter if it was your fault or someone else’s. Just forgive what has happened.

“Tell yourself every day that you are strong, beautiful or handsome and that you are a survivor – not a victim.

“We burn survivors were reborn to do something great no matter how small or huge.”

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()