Meet MSKTC Ambassador Jennifer Bell-De Paz
- Jennifer Bell-De Paz
Jennifer recently married Lisandre, the love of her life and also a burn survivor, whom she reconnected with during the filming of the Sexuality and Intimacy series. Together, they have three children: Ladybug, Mr. Handsome, and Honeybee. They love bowling in every city they visit and travel the country as motivational speakers. Jennifer is also working on a book about her journey through trauma and recovery.
Jennifer’s Burn Injury Journey
In 2010, Jennifer was injured in a house fire caused by a suicide attempt. At the time, she was struggling with the trauma of years of sexual abuse and a toxic relationship, and believed she had no way out. The fire left her with burns covering over 90% of her body, and she spent several years in a burn intensive care unit and acute care. This was an incredibly emotional and challenging time, and Jennifer often struggled to accept what had happened. During her healing, she frequently felt as though she no longer wanted to live.
It wasn’t until about four years into her recovery that Jennifer began to experience a shift. She recognized that she was still a mother to a beautiful daughter who needed her. Despite facing judgment and harassment because of her appearance, she found strength by returning to church and starting to volunteer—steps that brought her renewed hope and purpose. Determined to move forward, Jennifer resolved to help other burn survivors who might be feeling hopeless or suicidal. In 2014, she founded the East Texas Burn Foundation to assist families navigating burn injuries and to offer the kind of support and resources she had once longed for. Since then, Jennifer has received tremendous encouragement and has been able to connect with and support burn survivors she might never have encountered otherwise.
What does Jennifer think of the quality, usefulness, and user-friendliness of the MSKTC resources?
Jennifer appreciates how MSKTC resources simplify the search for reliable, relevant information. As a burn survivor, she knows how overwhelming it can be to find guidance that speaks to everyday challenges. What stands out to her is how accessible and easy to understand the materials are—making them a valuable tool for survivors at any stage of recovery.
Why does Jennifer want to be an MSKTC ambassador?
To Jennifer, being an ambassador is the highest level of giving back. She believes she can’t truly find peace or fulfillment without helping those in need. While she continues to explore and contribute to MSKTC resources for her own growth, her greater goal is to guide other burn survivors toward these tools—so they can feel less alone on their journeys.
What has Jennifer done as an MSKTC ambassador?
Jennifer contributed to MSKTC’s award-winning video series, Sexuality and Intimacy After Burn Injury. She actively shares the MSKTC resources within her burn survivor communities. She distributes MSKTC resources through the East Texas Burn Foundation and local hospitals. As a member of the Phoenix Society’s SOAR Program and a soon-to-be licensed professional counselor, she plans to continue sharing MSKTC materials with those in need.