Burn survivor advocates for emotional support for others as they recover

A fire can strike in a moment, but the aftermath for survivors, some with severe burns, lasts a lifetime.

Posted 2:17 a.m. Jan 2 — Updated 3:13 a.m. Jan 2

Julian Grace

, WRAL anchor/reporter

Space heater accidents, Christmas tree fires and kitchen fires are some of the most common calls firefighters get this time of year. In the past 48 hours, a fire ripped through townhomes on Hourglass Court in Raleigh.

A fire can strike in a moment, but the aftermath for survivors, some with severe burns, lasts a lifetime.

In addition to physical recovery, many need mental health support, and that is not always available.

Chris White is working to change that problem.

White was burned over 65 percent of his body when a propane tank exploded in his family’s garage. He was just shy of his high school graduation in 1998.

“I didn’t know if I was going to live," he said. "I had a third-degree burns up my face and arm.”

There were dark days during his time of his recovery.

"The most difficult part of recovery was wondering what I was going to look like," he said. "What are people going to think about me? Am I going to walk the same? Can I do everything I did before?”

White is a success story. He went on to play football at East Carolina University. He finished college and started a family.

Working with the NC Jaycee Burn Center, White has established a fund to provide more burn victims the counseling they need.

“It is very important to have someone to talk to because when I was there people didn’t have people to talk to," he said.

The Christopher White fund has raised $1,000 so far.

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