Halloween Costumes Can Be Scary – Burn Survivors Are Not

By Jason Heard, M.D., burn surgeon at Shriners Children’s Northern California

Halloween is a time when we revel in spooky tales of ghouls, goblins and things that go bump in the night. Among the iconic Halloween characters that haunt our nightmares, Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street stands out – a menacing figure, his body marred by burn scars.

While gasping at someone dressed up as Freddy Krueger on Halloween is all in good fun, it's important to remember that real burn survivors are not the monsters we see in popular culture. Regrettably, society often uses the portrayal of burn scarring as a visual cue to label characters as monstrous. This portrayal, prevalent in movies, television shows and even comic books, has seeped into our subconscious, leading many to unconsciously view burn survivors as frightening, disfigured individuals who can't reintegrate into society or lead normal lives.

This couldn't be further from the truth. I can attest to this because there was a time when people were afraid of me. Now, my life's mission revolves around supporting and caring for children who face similar challenges and emotional journeys at Shriners Children's Northern California.

At the age of 12, I experienced a horrible accident that resulted in second- and third-degree burns covering over 40% of my body. I had poured gasoline onto a backyard fire in my childhood home in Urbandale, Iowa. My face, torso, hands, arms and even my right ear bore the scars of that fateful day.

Rushed to the University of Iowa Burn Treatment Center, I spent several days sedated and on a ventilator. When I finally regained consciousness, my face was swollen, and I couldn't see – everything was dark.

Over the course of the next two years, I underwent a staggering number of surgeries including skin grafting and reconstructive procedures. At the vulnerable age of 13, I was already grappling with teenage self-consciousness, and now, the visibility of my scars only made things worse. Classmates would stare, and adults would look at me alarmed. Fortunately, I had a support network and wonderful friends who stood by my side.

I was connected to Shriners Children's, initially in Cincinnati, and later relocated to Dayton, Ohio. For years, I would fly from Iowa to Ohio for treatment. Shriners welcomed me with open arms, providing a room at the hospital, unlimited food, video games, and continuous physical and emotional support. They cared for me like family, and I will forever be grateful for the nurses and doctors who cared for me like I was their own.

At Shriners Children's, I underwent numerous laser treatments to smooth out my scars and plastic surgery to reconstruct my ear. Today, you wouldn't notice my scars unless you looked closely. But I haven't forgotten how it felt to be viewed as something to fear. Sadly, I see these reactions persist in the lives of my patients.

I now belong to a rare group – burn surgeons who are also burn survivors.

Unless I disclose it, my patients don't know that I've walked in their shoes and that I recognize their need for ongoing care and compassion – from me, their families and their communities.

Burn treatment is often a years-long process. Most children require pressure garments or clear masks to aid healing and minimize scarring. Scars do not grow or stretch like normal skin, so some may require skin grafts for tension release. Many patients undergo these treatments to regain mobility in areas like the neck, mouth, elbows or knees, which can become restricted due to scarring.

Patients admitted for burn injuries of all severities to the Neil Reitman Pediatric Burn Institute at Shriners Children's Northern California receive groundbreaking care from an internationally recognized team of specialists. Our burn program holds accreditation from the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons as a verified pediatric burn center, and it is the region's premier facility for children's burn care. Everyone at Shriners Children's – our physicians, nurses, physical therapists, child life specialists, pediatric orthotics and prosthetic specialists, as well as our support staff – delivers unparalleled care, and every day I strive to care for these kids like I was cared for.

So, by all means, embrace the Halloween spirit and get into the spooky mood.

But remember this: Burn survivors are not scary. Join me and my colleagues in recognizing that we simply want to be treated like everyone else.