Hi, you are “face to face with Shell”.
Please click on the links below, if you would like to see the first two parts of this series “SCARED OF FIRE”:
As you know, I was burned in a gas explosion when I was thirteen years old, which was thirty-five years ago (this being 2019). Still to this day, if I smell gas, I will mention it. It doesn’t freak me out as much as it used to but I still get a bit on edge and want to get away from where I am as soon as possible.
Please watch this video and/or read on:
The next story tells of when I visited some friends, I was probably about fifteen years into my burn survivor journey.
As I called in on these friends, I discovered that their pipes had unfortunately burst in their house. It was a particularly bad winter in Scotland and quite a few people in the village had burst pipes; luckily mine were only frozen. The husband was the only one in the house, awaiting a plumber to arrive (the kids having been taken to their grandparents house by the husband’s wife). It was not that long after Christmas and I remember him making a joke; that if the plumber didn’t arrive soon, all the Christmas sweets would be eaten by the time the kids returned home…lol.
I went into the house to keep him company for a while; it wasn’t much fun being in a cold house with burst pipes all alone.
Very shortly after I arrived, there was a knock at the door. We both thought it was the plumber but it was a neighbour, who very kindly gave my friend a small camping stove, so at least he could make a hot drink.
The neighbour brought out a lighter and started going around the small stove with the flame. My friend asked what was he doing? The neighbour replied: “Oh, it’s ok, just checking for leaks”. I wanted to run but thought; “come on Shell, let’s not freak out at every little thing”. The neighbour didn’t seem too bothered about it, I wasn’t too sure about my friend though…lol. I was still scared but didn’t move. Luckily there were no leaks.
His wife told me afterwards what she had said when her husband was re-telling her the story. She had asked where I was? I told her that I had no idea why I still stood where I was. I still don’t really know why…lol.
So, in this instance, why didn’t I run? Why didn’t I say anything? The neighbour knew what had happened to me as well but must have just “forgotten” or just didn’t think. I still don’t know why I stood there, as even probably now, I would be off.
I take a more light-hearted look at this one, I still have a smile about why I didn’t get out of there when the lighter was brought out to check for leaks…lol.
Hope I have made you smile a little.
Below is a link to the ADULT BURN SUPPORT UKs website, which I referred to it in the video. This is where the Live Chat takes place:
https://adultburnsupportuk.org/forum/
Below is a link to the DAN’S FUND FOR BURNS website, which you also might find very useful:
https://www.dansfundforburns.org/
We’ll chat soon.