Burn Survivor in Urgent Need of Support

My Story

On July 21, 2025, my life changed forever when a transformer exploded without warning. The blast left me with severe burns across my face, neck, chest, arms, and back. Doctors feared I might lose my left hand. My injuries were so critical that I spent most of my five-week hospital stay unconscious on life support.

On August 28, 2025, I was finally discharged. Since then, my days have been filled with appointments — burn treatments, occupational and physical therapy, specialist visits, and counseling to help me cope with the trauma. Recovery is expected to take a year or more. Every step is a fight to regain strength and function. Even with all of this, I fight every day to heal and regain my independence.

My Recovery Journey

Every day, I struggle with unbearable pain in my neck, arms, and throughout my body. Pain medications only provide limited relief, and many nights I cannot sleep. Even simple movements or tasks can be overwhelming. On top of the physical pain, I’m dealing with the emotional trauma and PTSD from the explosion, which makes everyday life frightening and exhausting.

The explosion also left me with nothing — I lost my place to stay, my belongings, and even my dog. My mom has taken me in, but this has been a heavy burden on her, especially with my daughter living here as well.

Appointments are a crucial part of my recovery, including:

Occupational Therapy: Already attended twice, with many more ahead

Physical Therapy: To rebuild strength and mobility

Burn Unit: Ongoing visits for burn treatment

Therapists (two): Helping me regain basic functions

Neurologist: For brain injury assessment and care

Pulmonary Doctor: Treating lung complications

Pain Management Specialist: Managing daily, chronic pain

Psychiatrist: Supporting me through trauma and PTSD

Why I Need Help

While I’m grateful to be alive, this journey has left me facing overwhelming challenges. I cannot work right now. The combination of medical bills, daily living expenses, and the cost of traveling to multiple appointments is more than I can manage alone.

Your support will help cover:

Hospital and ongoing medical bills

Therapy and treatment costs

Housing, utilities, and basic living expenses

Groceries, medications, and necessities

Transportation to appointments

Lost income during recovery

Every donation, no matter the size, brings me closer to stability and healing. If you can’t donate, sharing my story helps more than you know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness, prayers, and support as I continue this long road to recovery.

—Melissa Mabry

Thank you for helping me rebuild my life.