PHOENIX — Two Valley burn survivors are sharing how they are using their painful past to both inspire others and raise money for an important cause.
Two tragic stories, full of trauma, pain, surgeries, and recovery.
“February 9, 2014, (I) still remember that day like it was yesterday,” said Jason Nelson, who suffered second and third-degree burns to 80% of his body.
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It happened during a massive natural gas explosion that ignited at his home at the time in Gilbert.
“I spent the next year in the hospital,” he said.
For Tami Chmielewski, it was a situation that unfolded in August 2022.
“I was out of state for a wedding… I was just standing next to a really small fire, and the guy across from me poured a chemical on the fire,” she said. “The fire traveled up the stream and then shot at me and then lit me on fire.”
Chmielewski suffered third-degree burns on 38% of her body.
“I’ve passed a lot of the challenge physically… now it’s kind of mental,” she said.
The scars are a constant reminder of what they endured and were able to overcome.
“Knowing what I went through in that same situation, I can guess that most survivors are struggling, with the same things I struggled with,” said Nelson.
“It definitely affects every aspect of your life,” said Chmielewski.
Both have one common denominator — strength.
“Just because you’re a burn survivor, it doesn’t change your abilities to do something great,” said Nelson.
Both are truly an example of how with faith, family, support and the right medical care, survival in an unthinkable situation is possible.
When Chmielewski looked back at the video she was recording when it happened, she noticed an image in the flames.
“When I sped it up… this is what I saw and I felt like it was Jesus coming to save me and say it’s not my time yet,” she said.
Chmielewski is forever grateful to her caregivers and her family.
Nelson has so much to be thankful for too.
“I had a great recovery,” he said. “I had family, I had friends, I had the best doctors…”
Now they are using what they went through to raise awareness and to better the lives of others.
“A 25-mile hike in one day,” said Nelson. “6,000 feet of elevation change.”
They’re joining a group of other burn survivors and firefighters, training to hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim.
“It mirrors the journey of a burn survivor,” said Nelson. “It’s difficult, it’s step by step… much like hiking the Grand Canyon, it’s one step at a time…”
It’s a huge feat for any hiker, but a bucket list adventure for many.
At the same time, they’re doing it for an incredible cause.
“To help the Arizona Burn Foundation raise money, to help other families,” said Chmielewski. “They were amazing.”
It’s an organization near and dear to the hearts of many burn survivors.
“New burn survivors that are just going through the journey I went through,” said Nelson.
While it may be challenging, they know what they’re in for, an experience that will truly be unforgettable.
“Also, it’s for me,” said Chmielewski. “Because you know, two years ago I was learning how to walk again, and before that, I was very active.”
It’s about overcoming the odds and showing that a burn injury isn’t the end of someone’s life.
“With that support, anything is possible,” said Nelson. “You can go from a survivor to a thriver.”
They want other burn survivors to know, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
“I want them to think about, I can do whatever I want to do… there’s nothing holding me back.”
For more information about the Arizona Burn Foundation, click here.
To donate to Jason and Tami as they head out on this mission, you can go to their fundraising pages, which can be found by clicking here or clicking here.
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