Julia enjoys a picture-perfect day at the beach.
Julia visits with Santa during her treatment at Shriners Children's Boston.
Julia recovers from her burn injuries with the expertise and wrap-around care provided by Shriners Children's Boston staff.
Healing with Purpose: Julia’s Story
Julia, a burn survivor and former Shriners Children’s Boston patient, was drawn to share her story to provide comfort to those on a similar journey.
“I have felt less alone when hearing from other burn survivors, so I hope I can have a similar impact on others,” said Julia, who pursued a career as a child life specialist to give back. “Although there are challenges, you can still have a happy and fulfilling life.”
Julia was 4 when she sustained burn injuries on Thanksgiving Day. “I was washing my hands in the bathroom when a candle on the sink caught on the sleeve of my dress,” said Julia, who explained that the flames quickly spread. “This resulted in third-degree burns on the left side of my arm and down my torso. I also sustained second-degree burns on other parts of my body.”
An ambulance rushed Julia to a hospital close to her home, but medical professionals recommended she be brought to Shriners Children’s Boston for specialized burn care. “Within 24 hours, I was transported to Shriners Children’s Boston, where I stayed for three months on the inpatient unit.”
During her initial acute stay at Shriners Children’s Boston, Julia remembers the warm and welcoming community that supported her. Shriners Children’s provides patients with access to a range of services, including psychiatry, psychology, nutrition, physical therapy and occupational therapy, along with the essential emotional support of child life specialists.
The child life team played a key role in Julia’s healing journey, offering support during dressing changes, which she described as “hard and painful.” Julia remembers the team “was able to incorporate medical play and distraction to help me cope with a challenging procedure.”
I believe we can give meaning to challenging events in our lives. I often remember the advice of my mother: You are strong, brave and confident.
Lily Pavlowich, MS, CLS, is a child life specialist at Shriners Children’s Boston. Lily explained that during dressing changes, child life specialists provide coping skills, whether it is engaging the child in play, encouraging them to participate in care, modeling deep breathing, or advocating for comfort positioning. “Our goal is to increase the patient’s sense of control, promote positive coping, and minimize trauma associated with repeated medical procedures,” Lily said.
The child life team also helps to reduce fear, anxiety, and emotional distress during difficult moments for pediatric patients. “Child life specialists can help patients identify coping strategies that work best for them and advocate for their emotional needs with the healthcare team,” said Lily.
As Julia’s recovery progressed, she returned twice a year to Shriners Children’s Boston for surgery and a check-up until she was 21 years old. She has many fond memories of staff during her recovery, including Robert L. Sheridan, M.D., chief of staff and director of the burn service, Daniel Driscoll, M.D., plastic surgeon, and seeing the hospital's makeup artist after her yearly appointments.
Julia’s positive experiences at Shriners Children’s Boston, along with the comfort provided by the child life staff, inspired her to pursue a healthcare career. “I believe we can give meaning to challenging events in our lives,” said Julia. After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Julia went on to receive her master’s in child life and family-centered care at Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development. She has been working as a certified child life specialist in New Hampshire for three years. “I appreciate being able to help children and teens cope with challenging medical encounters,” said Julia, who went on to explain that because of her own medical experience, she can bring compassion and empathy into her work.
Through her journey at Shriners Children’s Boston, Julia learned about the power of resilience. “There can be challenging moments during treatment, and however you are feeling it is completely valid,” said Julia. “I often remember the advice of my mother: You are strong, brave and confident.”
When Julia is not working as a child life specialist, she enjoys spending her free time with her husband, whom she married in the summer of 2025. Julia also enjoys spending time outdoors with her two rescue dogs, Luna and Nera.
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