Article referred by Olivia Soo, Editorial Staff, Pacific Medical Training
Written by Caitlin Goodwin on Jul 1, 2021

by James January

This past July I did an interview on a podcast called Crash Victim Life Survivor which is hosted by Athanasia Houvarda. Her podcast deals primarily with driving & road safety. I highly recommend all the episodes.
Given that some of us got drafted into the burn world while driving, or while in a vehicle, there are a number of burn survivor interviews.

My interview with Athanasia this year, or this season, was lucky #13.

With today being my burnday (what we burn survivors refer to in a rebirthing take on life...I'm 30 years burned as of today, but who's counting), I thought what better time to revisit that interview back in July.
A few of y'all have asked a question or two about me, my history...how I got burned. Questions I may have answered or, just as likely, may have taken off on a trail of answers to questions of my own choosing, related or not to the original ones asked.

Athanasia, who I met many years ago at World Burn Congress (an annual "family reunion" type of event sponsored by The Phoenix Society) & who I call a friend had  similar issues where I'd go my own way. She was nice enough to send me the raw audio when we finished day one, after deciding we needed another day...a  take 2.
​On that day I was able to stay focused...or Athanasia was a better wrangler of me & my thoughts. The raw stuff I'll keep for myself for now, but she got me to where I sound pretty good clocking in at just under 38 minutes.

Take a listen.

If you're able to do so, send support my way &/or her way so we can keep doing what we do...either way, thanks for reading...& listening.

if tapping the above doesn't let you listen, try one of these links...
Apple Podcast
James January, Podcast #13, hosed by Athanasia Houvarda
Buzzsprout episode download

Mask Up

​Keep your distance.
Go outside.
Stay inside.
Stay closed.
Open up.
Mask up.
​
2020 in a nutshell.

    It is the current state of affairs. Some come at it all from a healthcare angle. Some come at it all from an economic angle. Many seek the proper balance for safety and for a cure that does not do more damage than the disease.
    Full disclosure; My instinct is one that always emanates from the thought that “I am a grown a** man, best recognize the difference between advise and command & best exercise the former…”.
    It is the way.
    Alas, exploration of my way in this writing would take me down a personal, and some would argue political, path I don’t wish to walk at this moment in this setting. This is a non profit blog here at BurnSurvivor.org and we pride ourselves on staying within the borders of the “burn business”.
    (Hit me up on my personal line if you want an education on other stuff.)

    Stay on mission burnt guy.

    Mask up. At some point, if you want to go to someone’s house or into someone’s business, you will have two choices. Mask up or do not enter. At some point you’re gonna have to mask up. You will have to wear the over the ear green or blue thing.
Or will you?

Not me. I won’t. Because I can’t. I do not have ears, or ears remaining that will allow such. The mask thing has been a pain when going to the hospital, and unfortunately I’ve had to go a lot to prep for a major foot surgery coming up (shout out to me wearing an Ilizarov with style come Halloween…hope the technology has come a long way since my last one circa 1995).
I don’t do the bandana, so most times I wore a motorcycle sleeve. Many times I’ve had to explain how the mask being offered was of no use and would not be worn as I showed off my burn enhanced ear to drive home the point that an ear lobe mask was useless (strangely, they rarely had the surgeon type masks that tie around the head).

    Then my friend (who is the exact opposite of me in mask wearing enthusiasm) asked me to collaborate with her to get someone she deals with on the mask front to help us create something that would “change my ways” and get me to always wear a mask…uh, no…correct that dude…I should say, help hook me up with a mask that worked for a guy like me when a mask has to be worn…much better…do not let on that any woman changed you in any way.

    We came up with strap option that allows one’s mask to go across the head to hold as opposed to a need for ears. Cool bonus, one with limited mobility in their arms or hands can slip it on easy enough. And there’s more - we think the angles are the same as if it were on your ear.
    My anecdotal studies show that even ear people prefer this type mask. My study consists of 20 out of 20 approval (a guy working the MRI machine, a gal working the X-ray machine, a few doctors and nurses who thought it was cool…a few friends…my friend & my own family approval, regardless of ear design…&…well…not even the pollsters can be so accurate these days).

​    The design, sizes, and fabric options - already there. The way the fabric is sewn to keep the mask aligned proper - check. Removable nose wire so ya don’t ruin your cool mask in the wash - check. Place to insert filter so you feel extra safe and can show to powers that be if they try to tell u it ain’t up to code - heck yeah. The softest ear straps out there with just the right amount of stretch for the most sensitive normal ear - yep.
Our effort added a unique head strap that angles just right cooperating with the ear loops.
    And…
    The most important piece of the greatest mask adaptation ever…an owner that will work with you until you are satisfied.

​    Stacie, the woman behind the business, remarked “thank you both again for allowing me the opportunity to do this and being patient with me working on it”. No Stacie, Thank You.
    Show some love and support LynnyLuDesigns’ shop on Etsy & get you a mask that is so hot it is cool.
    Go to LynnyLuDesigns.com and check out what she’s got.
Use code THANKYOU10 and get 10% off for ordering from this recommendation.
If you want the strap, or some other modification, message her after order or note at checkout.

(Nothing was gained or given to us other than the enjoyment working on this mask project & passing our thoughts on to you.)

AND…if you like what BurnSurvivor.org is about & can do so;
go to our FaceBook page & ​hit that donate button
and/or give via PayPal
and/or make “BurnSurvivor Org” your charity of choice on Amazon Smile
(nothing changes on your end, but the big A will give based off what you’re already gonna do)
…THANKS

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by James January