From a Mother’s Heart
First, thank you. Truly, thank you for being here.
As a mother, watching your child suffer is a pain that reaches the deepest part of your heart. These past few years have tested our family in every possible way, but they’ve also shown us the strength of love, resilience, and the kindness of others.
I’ve spoken for Maylina many times throughout her healing, but this time, I want you to hear her words. She is strong. She is brave. And this next step in her journey is one we cannot take alone.
Thank you for taking the time to read her story. Your support means more than you know.
With deepest gratitude,
Jen
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“My name is Maylina.
This is my story.
On the night of Winter Solstice, December 21, 2022, my life changed forever.
I was standing near our backyard firepit when I caught fire. I remember screaming as the flames engulfed my body. I tried to stop, drop, and roll, but it wasn’t working. The fire spread quickly. My mom ran to me and put the fire out while shouting for my brother to call 911.
I was rushed by ambulance and then life-flighted to a trauma hospital that specializes in burn care. I had deep second- and third-degree burns from my waist to my scalp, including my face, chest, arms, hands, throat, lungs, and eyes. I spent several days in the ICU and was readmitted later for infections and more surgeries.
Since then, I have had 16 surgeries. Most of them are focused on reducing the painful, tight scarring across my face and chest so I can breathe, eat, and speak. The pain is constant. Even air brushing across my skin can be unbearable. I take multiple non-opioid medications every day, but there is still no true relief. My scars impact me physically and emotionally. There is no rest from it.
While I do have insurance, the hospital that handles my burn care is out-of-network. That means I have a $10,000 out-of-pocket deductible before any coverage begins. Even after meeting that, we still have to pay a large percentage of costs through coinsurance. Every surgery, medication, and appointment adds to the overwhelming financial weight my family has been carrying.
Now I am facing the most important surgery yet.
I turn 26 on July 28, which means I’ll no longer be covered under my parents’ insurance. We’ve finally found a facial reconstruction surgeon who is not only willing to take my case but has rearranged their schedule to perform this life-changing surgery on my birthday. This operation offers real hope, relief from daily pain, greater mobility, and the chance to begin feeling like myself again.
The surgeon’s fee alone is over $4,000 and is due by July 14. This does not include the cost for anesthesia, the surgical center, or any assisting specialists, all of which are due by the day of surgery. To make this even harder, I recently lost my job after requesting time off for this surgery. I also lost the health insurance I was preparing to transition into. Which means, follow up care will be out of pocket. I won’t be able to work for at least 4 to 6 weeks while I recover, and my mom will need to take 7 to 10 unpaid days off to care for me.
My parents have supported me every step of the way. They’ve covered out-of-pocket costs for surgeries, therapy, medical equipment, and prescriptions, all while facing overwhelming financial strain, including vehicle repossessions, eviction notices, and wage garnishments. Despite it all, they continue to do everything they can to help me heal.
This surgery is not about how I look. It is about how I live. It is about being able to eat without pain, to breathe more easily, and to smile without flinching. I want to reclaim the parts of myself that the fire tried to take. Most of all, I want to feel beautiful again, not different.
If you are able to help in any way, even by simply sharing this story, I am deeply grateful.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for seeing me.
With love,
Maylina”
