Survivors + School Re-Entry

Saturday, August 29, 2020 | 5 - 6 pm (EST)

During our upcoming webinar + roundtable styled community conversation, we'll be discussing school re-entry as it relates to the burn community and the current global pandemic (adjusting to virtual and in-person education structures). We welcome adult caregivers who are preparing students to go back to school, survivors who have gone back to school after a burn injury, and more to join us for this upcoming event!

Phoenix Society will also provide optional activity for children and teens to complete during the session to help continue the conversation about school re-entry afterwards. This will be sent on the day of the event and described at the beginning of the webinar.

Fill out the form below to register for the event!

Meet our Panelists + Speakers!

Panelists will include a child burn survivor who has participated in a school re-entry, a child life specialist, and a parent of a child burn survivor. Participants will also be asked to share resources, wisdom, and questions! Check back soon for more information on our speakers.

Donna McCartney, LISW, CCM, MHA has worked as a clinical social worker and care manager at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Cincinnati for 15 years. Aftercare following a burn injury has been a key component of the work she does and is a passion of hers. Donna was lucky enough to join the school re-entry committee early in her career and she has coordinated the program for the past five years. In addition to school re-entry, she has served as a volunteer and counselor for burn camp and has served on the planning committee for the Phoenix UBelong Youth and Family Program since 2010. Donna has worked with youth, adolescents and young adults, at all stages of their recovery process proving support, guidance and education as it relates to their lives following a burn injury.

Janine Fisk is a 29 year teaching veteran having worked in K-12 schools, colleges and now as an administrator for the Hawaii Department of Education. Janine brings with her the unique insight of both an educator and a parent of a burn survivor. When Janine's daughter, Abigail, was eight years old (now 20) she fell into an agricultural fire severely burning her hands, feet and lower legs. After a lengthy hospital stay and several skin graft surgeries Abby was ready to return to school. However, there was little known about school reentry at that time, and navigating this path was difficult. Therefore, helping others successfully navigate the school system and advocate for their needs has become both a personal and professional passion of Janine's.

Nicole Perry, BA, CCLS is a Certified Child Life Specialist who began her career in 2004 working at Shriners Hospital for Children. During her time at Shriners, she served on the school reentry team and facilitated school reentry's burn injured patients and siblings. Subsequently she went on to work as the Youth and Family Program Manager and Peer Support Program Manager at Phoenix Society where her impact included leading the organization’s Phoenix UBelong Youth and Family Program. Nicole is currently serving in a volunteer role at Phoenix Society helping to plan and implement virtual youth and family programming.  Nicole is a co-author of recent publication of Sara’s STEPS, a book for preschool and elementary-aged children to increase social confidence after burn and traumatic injury and aid with with the school reentry process. 

Taylor Delz was burned on 80% of his body at the age of 14 when a gas can exploded. He was a freshman at the time. Taylor spent one year on the burn unit, and three months outpatient before returning to school halfway through his sophomore year. He was able to catch up to his class, due in large part to the medical staff, teachers, friends and family who supported him along the way. He went on to graduate from Texas A&M University and now has a successful career in real estate in his hometown.

REGISTER

Register for this Community Conversation by filling out the form below. You will receive an email with a link and instructions to join.