This is a part of the Hot Topic podcast series from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Sexuality and Intimacy After Burn Injury. Cindy Rutter, burn survivor, discusses dating and the challenges of having hidden burns after burn injury.

Cindy Rutter

Sustained a Burn Injury in 1959

I think it's important that we recognize that having a hidden burn can be a different kind of challenge in regards to sexuality and intimacy. They aren’t seen immediately. You meet someone, you're moving forward in a relationship and you have to divulge that most of your body is burned. So it is challenging in that aspect because you may have already begun the relationship, and then you wonder, "Are they gonna reject me now?

Even though they've gotten to know me, and now I tell them that my body is burned, are they going to be accepting of that?" So I think it is a different kind of challenge, but definitely a challenge.

Visit https://msktc.org/burn and get the answers you need from experts who conduct innovative and high-quality research, provide patient care, and work to improve the health and overall quality of life for people with burn injury. That’s https://msktc.org/burn.