The number one question I get from people about my young adult book, SCARS LIKE WINGS is, “What made you want to write a story about a burn survivor?”
Well, 10 years ago I met a boy named Marius, who had been in severely burned in a house fire in Romania. When he came to America for treatment, I knew that a fire had taken both his parents and left him severely burned. I expected to meet a victim. He had lived through unimaginable pain and dozens of surgeries. I knew his physical scars drew stares from strangers and cruel teasing from peers. How could he be anything but angry?
Instead, I met a smiling, vibrant 8-year-old who wanted to show me his latest magic trick. Yes, Marius was burned. But he was also just a boy who loved card tricks and trampolines. I was immediately struck by his unwavering confidence that he was so much more than his scars. So much more than his tragedy.
As our friendship has grown through the years, Marius’ spirit continues to inspire me and has often made me wonder: How does someone find this kind of strength in the face of so much pain?
For Marius, the answer is simple: he didn’t do it alone. When he wanted to give up, there was always someone there. A nurse. A friend. Someone helping him choose to live.
In SCARS LIKE WINGS, Ava’s story also begins with heartache, pain and loneliness. She doubts she’ll ever be “normal” again. But as she lets people in, she realizes she doesn’t have to face the pain alone. While her friends can’t fix her scars, they can find a new normal—together.
I hope you feel a piece of the hope and resilience I saw in Marius in Ava’s story. Each journey is unique, but the experiences of Marius, Ava, and my own as a heart failure survivor have taught me this: The love we let in—and give out in return—can determine the trajectory of our lives more than tragedy ever could.
And an interview with Marius about his recovery and how he found the strength to survive: