Mother Raises Awareness After Son's Burn Care at Shriners Children’s Boston

Walker’s burn care at Shriners Children’s Boston comes with an important message for families.

The young boy sustained burns to both hands after touching a pellet stove in his New Hampshire house. “It was so sudden. I was standing right there and it just happened so fast. It was over before it even started,” said Walker’s mom, Amanda, who experienced what she described as “immense guilt.” She hopes sharing her son’s story will raise awareness surrounding the dangers of stoves and help ease any guilt parents may feel.

The day Walker was injured is one his mother said she will never forget. “I brought Walker to the emergency room. Medical staff sent pictures to Shriners Children’s Boston and Shriners set up an appointment for Walker.”

He started treatment just before he turned 2. The support Amanda received upon walking into Shriners Children’s Boston with Walker was reassuring. “I felt so much guilt, but everyone told me ‘this is not your fault,’” she said. “Everyone in the hospital was amazing.”

During his initial stay, Walker and his mom were at Shriners Children’s Boston for several days. During that time, Amanda remembers how accommodating her son’s medical team was, especially their social services case manager, Liza Gamelli, LICSW, CCM. “I just started to get really nervous, and Liza was great,” said Amanda. “Walker had to get medication at CVS. I had been to Boston for a Red Sox game with my husband years ago, but never alone. Liza had someone pick up the prescription for us.”