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 venturing out into the dating world after burn injury.

Cindy Rutter

Sustained a Burn Injury in 1959

As a burn survivor, to reintegrate into the world of dating or even just mingling with people, is to get out, to push yourself a little bit. Yes, it's taking a risk, and you're stretching your limits, but if you don't do that, you'll never gain anything. So going — first of all, going to support groups, volunteering is a huge way to meet people that truly understand burns.

Get involved in the burn community. There are multitudes of ways. And if you don't wanna volunteer in the burn community, volunteer somewhere else. Being of service to other people is a great way to give back and meet people and meet them on a level that isn't immediately geared towards sexuality and intimacy, but you never know who you'll meet that is willing to accept you for who you are.

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.