Josiah’s Journey of Healing

Josiah is a math whiz who loves learning. Outside of school, he enjoys video games and swimming.

While Josiah, 9, likes spending time outdoors, he is much more cautious than before.

Last fall at a family gathering, he and a friend were playing tag in the yard. Josiah tripped and fell into a firepit. It hadn’t been active since the previous night, but the ashes were still hot. He had burns along his entire arm and hand.

“All of a sudden he was screaming and praying for the pain to stop,” recalls his mom, Merelyn. “It was the most awful feeling knowing I couldn’t take his pain away.”

Urgent care sent the family to Children’s National. Doctors determined Josiah suffered second- and third-degree burns. Our Burn Clinic team met with him weekly for two months treat the burns without surgery and keep the wounds clean.

Nurse care coordinator Margaret Gill, BSN, RN, CPN, was a constant source of comfort for Josiah and his family. The process to clean burn wounds and change the bandages is painful. Josiah often needed anxiety medicine to cope.

“Margaret was so kind and reassuring during every visit,” says Merelyn. “Her calming presence made a huge difference.”

During his final clinic appointment, “Dr. Josiah” proudly demonstrated how to care for the wound with Margaret’s assistance.

“Having such amazing and compassionate care from Margaret and the doctors was a blessing for us during that difficult journey,” adds Merelyn. “We will be forever grateful.”