Theresa Encourages Kitchen Safety

Eleven-year-old Theresa, fueled by her love for cooking, took on the challenge of frying chicken alone.

Her kitchen joy turned into a nightmare when scalding oil splashed onto her hand, causing her to drop the pan. The boiling oil cascaded over her arm and foot, inflicting severe third- and fourth-degree burns, plunging her into excruciating pain.

Third-degree burns are among the most serious burn injuries. They destroy all layers of the skin and may even extend beyond into muscle. This type of injury can be deceptively painless because nerve endings are destroyed. Fourth-degree burns are the highest degree of burn. They affect all layers of the skin and extend into muscles, tendons and even bone.

As shock began to set in, Theresa’s grandpa rushed her to the hospital. She was later transferred to the Neil Reitman Pediatric Burn Institute at Shriners Children's Northern California in Sacramento. Shriners Children’s Northern California has the region’s only dedicated pediatric burn program verified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. The hospital is equipped to treat burn injuries of all degrees. From life-threatening burns to the smallest fingertip scald, the burn program’s internationally recognized team of surgeons and plastic surgeons work alongside dedicated caregivers to provide the care and rehabilitation children need.

Shriners Children’s Northern California became Theresa’s home away from home while she healed and recovered.