Recovery and Resiliency for Scott McBride
By Barbra Fairclough
The Home Away program was a big part of local resident Scott McBride’s recovery. “I found out about the HomeAway Program through the Burn Fund.” The program offers accommodations to burn and trauma survivors at the Burn Fund Centre in Vancouver.
Scott Mc Bride, 36-year-old resident of Blind Bay is the sales manager of his family’s marine business in Salmon Arm. He has worked there for 17years and is a burn survivor.
July 2020 Scott suffered third degree burns to over 40 percent of his body while working on 72 Chevy C-10 he had been restoring. He was flown by air ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital where he spent three weeks in an induced coma in ICU before being sent to the burn unit for four months. The accident happened in Lee Creek, and he was flown to the Lower Mainland immediately.
The Hometown Heroes Lottery raises funds for specialized equipment and services at VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation and GF Strong Rehab Centre. The lottery also supports the BC Professional Fire fighters Burn Fund including the Home Away Program.
“These programs are wonderful and crucial for burn survivors and their families. It helps to relieve the financial burden so patients can focus on healing.” Scott utilized the HomeAway program in early 2022 when he came down for treatment and continues to stay at the Burn Fund Center when receiving treatment.
Scott says the whole affair brought our family together. “You realize how fortunate you are to see each other daily.” Going back to work was one of the first things Scott wanted to do. “I felt like I needed to feel productive. I am super fortunate to have staff that have been working with us for a long time. Everybody stepped up and helped make it easier for me.” It made a difference having family around.
Scott needed to stay out of the sun for a couple of years while he healed. Being in the Boat business made this a bit of a challenge. With burn healing, “You realize how much you like shade.”
“Now I am beginning to be able to go in the sun and I am beginning to do fun things again. I am taking golf lessons and getting into mountain biking and being able to get back into boating is huge.” Scott is adapting to a new normal.
He notes that the Hometown Hero Lottery supports people in need. “I know how long the healing process can be. I was in the hospital for months. The financial toll would be prohibitive. It is huge to have a family by your side and the fund helps pay for the costs of travel and accommodation for folks who need to attend out-of-town medical care.
“You realize how important and how well our medical system worked. My care was excellent.
The burn fund was established in 1978 by the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association. Through the burn fund fire fighters receive mental health and resiliency programs and provide Home Away accommodations.
Scott says “It is just nice to be getting on with things.
Hometown Heroes Lottery helps fund vital survivor services. It offers ten grand prize packages worth over $2.3 million. www.heroeslottery.com
Scott in the hospital with nurses tending to his burns. (photo contributed)
Scott recovering, with Sasha Pellow at his side. (photo contributed)
