'Scars don't define me': Split-second bath injury changed NZ mum's life forever

It takes less than a second for a normal day to turn into a lifetime of medical hurdles. For Dunedin mum Angelique, that moment came when she was just over a year old. 

In the blink of an eye, the 14-month-old fell into a bath of scalding water, suffering devastating third-degree burns across her body.

"That moment marked the start of a lifetime of healing, not just of skin, but of spirit," she says. 

What followed was a childhood defined by skin grafts, intensive surgeries, and endless medical appointments. Still, decades on, she says her scars don't define her - instead, they're one of the most powerful things about her. 

"They speak to strength, resilience, and growth I earned the hard way."

'Life was for living, not for dwelling'

Growing up with severe burn scars could have been an incredibly isolating experience, but Angelique credits her parents with giving her the ultimate tool for survival: Confidence.

Instead of letting the accident cast a shadow over her childhood, her family chose to focus on the future.

"We only talked about my scars when surgery came around," Angelique recalls. 

The rest of the time, life was for living. Not for dwelling. Not for wishing things were different.

That ethos informed how Angelique interacted with the world. She refused to let her physical differences dictate her potential. She played sports, went to university, built businesses, and chased big dreams.

"Because I didn't treat my scars like a flaw, no one else did either," she says. 

Confidence has a way of rewriting the room. The energy you show up with tells people how to meet you.

Today, Angelique’s greatest pride isn’t her professional success, but her family and her husband, who "sees me and loves every part of me."

"I didn't need tattoos to tell my story," she says. "My skin already does.

The hidden dangers in our homes

Angelique’s story is incredible, but the accident that caused her injuries is shockingly common.

June is National Burns Awareness Month, a campaign aiming to shine a vital spotlight on the hidden, everyday hazards that exist in Kiwi homes, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Organised by the Burn Support Group Charitable Trust, this year’s message is simple but urgent: Everyday Burn Hazards Are Hotter Than They Look.

From a hot cup of coffee or a running heater to a bath that is just a few degrees too warm, life-altering burn injuries happen in an instant. 

While the physical and emotional recovery can take a lifetime, the Burn Support Group works tirelessly across New Zealand to ensure survivors and their whānau never have to walk that path alone.

Angelique hopes that by sharing her scars, she can prevent others from going through the same pain.

"I never waited for perfect timing or perfect circumstances because life doesn't wait. And neither do I."

How you can help Kiwi burn survivors today

The Burn Support Group Charitable Trust relies on the generosity of everyday Kiwis to continue providing vital rehabilitation, emotional support, and prevention education to communities nationwide.

• Donate $3 Instantly: Text BURN to 4499 to make an immediate $3 donation.

• Get Resources: For more information on burn prevention or to find support services for survivors and families, visit www.burns.org.nz.