Today, Arnie is a counselor at the Burn Institute’s Camp Beyond the Scars for children with burn injuries. “After I was burned, I didn’t have the benefit of a camp,” the fire captain said. “My biggest help was the support and care of my wife, Jolee, and the friends and colleagues I have on the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.”
Arnie has a special understanding of what the kids are feeling, because he’s a burn survivor, too. Whenever Arnie wears shorts at camp, kids inevitably run to him and say, “Hey, you look just like me.” Arnie and the campers instantly form a bond.
“The great thing about burn camp is that every other child at camp has similar injuries and they don’t have to worry about standing out or not fitting in,” he said. “Camp gives them a chance to have a good time with other kids who understand what they are going through. And to be around adult counselors who love and support them.”
Volunteering at camp isn’t all Arnie’s done for the Burn Institute. In 1995, he chaired the annual Burn Run/FIRE EXPO sponsored by the San Diego – Imperial County Firefighters Advisory Council to the Burn Institute (FFACBI), and he remains involved in the event today. He also serves on the FFACBI’s Board and the Burn Institute’s Advisory Board.
As a burn survivor, Arnie says he feels that children with burns have been robbed of their childhood. “Not only have they suffered a traumatic injury, but in a society that’s judged on good looks, these kids have a much harder time fitting in. People who meet burn survivors are often frightened or uncomfortable about looking at the burn survivor’s scars. The public should know that burn survivors are just like everyone else – they have feelings and needs and they want to be accepted.”
Back to Profiles & Amazing Stories
© Burn Institute. Legal Notices.
“The public should know that burn survivors are just like everyone else – they have feelings and needs and they want to be accepted.”