Butterflies

by Susanne Gervay Blue Butterfly

Compelling?
Moving?
Inspirational?
You are not even close to the power that this book holds .... Katherine's story is one that reels you in, and won't let you go, until the very last word.
Susanne Gervay has crafted this book beautifully, and its gift of strength and hope will stay with the reader, long after the book is put down.
REACT Magazine

Every survivor has a story. Often the story is of interest, and even more often instructive. Butterflies is the story of a burn survivor and is both interesting and instructive. It explores the complex areas of the emotional impact of a burn on the individual and family while giving insight into the world of hospitals, patients and doctors. It traces the development of the personality from insecurity and relative isolation to a healthier level of self esteem that enables the individual to form balanced relationships with family and friends. It shows how the inner person can triumph over a preoccupation with surface scars and know that basic values of commitment, caring and trust are more important than the texture of the skin.

Butterflies has relevance outside the narrow circle of burn survivors and their families. It shows the ebb and flow of emotions that affect us all, particularly in the transition between childhood and adulthood, and how parenting and family life make these bearable.

Those of us who are involved in the world of burns know how survivors need help from time to time, but slowly develop a depth of character and an inner strength which is rarely seen in others. Like tempering steel, the process of passing through the fire helps make a person of exceptional quality. "Butterflies" captures these subtleties for the reader, and gives a stunning insight into a difficult topic.

Dr Hugh Martin
Former President of the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association and
Head of the Burn Unit, The Children's Hospital Westmead, Sydney.

The Day of Difference

The founders of this charity, Ron Delezio and Carolyn Martin, are the parents of Sophie Delezio. She is one of the two little girls severely burnt when a car crashed into the Roundhouse Childcare Centre in Fairlight on December 15, 2003. Sophie received third degree burns to over 85% of her body. As a result she and her family lived at the Children's Hospital at Westmead for over six months.
Our family lived at the Children's Hospital at Westmead for over 6 months and without the exceptional care and technology that she received, Sophie would not be alive today. Sophie was only two and a half at the date of the accident … an accident that has changed the lives of our family as well many others.

As a result of last year's events, my wife Carolyn and I have started a new charity called the Day of Difference Foundation. During our time in Hospital with Sophie, we witnessed first hand the seemingly insurmountable needs that are put upon Hospital Burns Units and their staff. But we also saw how crucial those needs are to incoming paediatric burns patients. We knew that we needed to help in some way and since then we have dedicated ourselves to seeing that as much good as possible, can come from a situation that is so devastating.

Unfortunately, we cannot prevent burns, but through the Day of Difference Foundation, we can educate people in the prevention of burns and help to ensure that the resources and technology are there when they become necessary.

Support familes affected by burns through
DAY OF DIFFERENCE www.dayofdifference.com.au

Articles:

Books for Children from The Children's Hospital Westmead
www.chw.edu.au/parents/kidshealth/books/

IBBY - International Board on Books
www.ibby.org

Includes Outstanding books for youth on disability.