The Power of Words
One woman’s journal inspires another to help families of burn victims find comfort
Surrounded by support
Ronald “Charlie” Wanner (left) suffered severe burns in an industrial accident. His wife, Joan (right), kept journals during his stay in the Burn Center. Her cousin, Susan Christine, R.N., recently donated journals to help other patients’ families. The Wanners now live in Gulfport, Miss., where they often see Christine’s father, Joseph R. Leinwaber Sr. (center). As a burn survivor from World War II, “Uncle Joe” is an inspiration to Charlie.
Nov. 19, 1993: “Today at around 10 a.m. was the beginning of the most traumatic day of my life,” writes Joan Wanner. It was the day her husband, Ronald “Charlie” Wanner, suffered burns over 50 percent of his body in an industrial accident.
For months, Charlie was in a medically induced coma in the Burn Center. Knowing it would be a while before he was alert, Joan started a journal. Every night she recorded Charlie’s progress, his visitors, family news, caregivers’ acts of kindness, her triumphs and struggles, updates on the Eagles’ season and even the price of gas. “I thought of how much he would miss,” says Joan, who now lives in Gulfport, Miss., with Charlie. “I wanted him to know there were so many people who did such good things for us.”
Fourteen years later, Joan’s cousin, Susan Christine, R.N., read the journals. She was so moved, she recently donated blank journals to the Burn Center, offering patients’ families the same means of comfort Joan discovered. “I want people to have the opportunity to write down their thoughts if it helps,” says Christine, who works for LVHHN through Lehigh Valley Cardiac Monitoring Services.
“I didn’t realize the things we did meant so much to them,” says Christine, who often visited Charlie and helped him plan a surprise birthday celebration for Joan while he was in the hospital.
“A lot of times our patients go into comas and don’t wake up for months,” says social worker Elizabeth Dideon Hess. “It’s hard for patients to catch up or even appreciate what the family has gone through during that time.”
Charlie read the journals, but only once. “He was in tears,” Joan says. He was heartbroken by what she went through and humbled by everyone’s kindness.
Excerpts From Joan’s Journal
“Written by ‘meme’ (Charlie’s nickname for Joan) because I love you and care for you. I want for you to know what happened day-by-day during the most difficult time of our lives. Love you!”
Friday, Dec. 3
Mary Ellen and Mindy are your nurses today. They told me they sing you Christmas carols. They treat both of us wonderfully and are always concerned of my wellbeing.
Tuesday, Dec. 21
This is a happy day for me for I got my Christmas present early. Today is the first day (in 31 days) that you are responsive and know me. I cried half way home I was so happy.
This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
