Piper’s Story

Site created on March 11, 2023

Piper suffered a burn accident Thursday evening (3/9).  She is in Shriners Hospital burn unit in Galveston, TX after a flight and ambulance transport.  While soaking her fingernails in acetone to remove some acrylic nails, a nearby candle ignited the fumes causing a flash/fire explosion.  37% of her body was impacted— 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Please pray for Piper and the family as they navigate treatment and pain management.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Christy Mather

Hey Everyone,

Today is the one year mark from my burn accident. It hardly feels like a year. I wanted to hop on here to thank everybody that has been so kind and loved me so much during this time.

I’m doing really good right now. I’m fully healed. Next month I have my last skin grafting / z-plasty surgery. I’ll be in Galveston for 10 days. I’m really excited about this, because I will get to straighten my arm out all the way… it’s been a loooong time since I’ve done that! It’ll probably be painful too and I’ll do physical therapy… but hey, I can do hard things.😀  I’ll probably have some more laser surgeries this summer, but the Dr. said that’s not a very big deal.

After coming home from the hospital last July, I got to go back to school (yea!), got my braces off, and turned 14 years old. I’ve spent lots of time hanging out with all my friends, got my wisdom teeth out (no fun!), went to Burn Camp, got to meet the Firemen who came that night, sang in choir concerts, and I've performed in two school musicals – in one of them (Annie) I got the lead! It’s been a good year. Normal life sure feels good.

I just wanted to write this today to thank each of you for praying for me and caring so much when I was struggling so hard last year. I know I wouldn’t be doing as well as I am today without the incredible love you have shown me (and do show). All the cards and sweet notes of encouragement, care packages, phone calls, texts you sent, donations, how my friends raised money, the people that drove all the way down to Galveston to sit with me, the care packages, presents, and especially the prayers – all of it is a treasure to me. The highlight of each day in the hospital was getting to open cards and packages from all of you. I was isolated for a really long time… and that’s not fun for an extravert like me. You guys brightened all those days and helped me hope. Thank you. I will always always love you, even those of you I have never met. Thank you for caring for me.

Love,
Piper

PS - here's some videos :)

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