An 11-year-old girl from 100 Mile House has been receiving treatment at a Vancouver hospital for nearly two weeks, after a faulty science experiment left her with severe burns to her body.
Presley Peterson's mother Karen said she's choosing to speak to the media about her daughter to highlight that there is hope in the face of adversity.
Despite preparations, a handmade project at home involving gunpowder caused an explosion that has left Presley with extensive second-degree burns. Presley and her mom were airlifted from 100 Mile and brought to B.C. Children's Hospital on June 18. It's not yet clear when she'll be discharged from the hospital.
However, doctors have now said that Presley will make a full visual recovery and won't require skin grafts.
"She's the bravest, most courageous little girl," Peterson said. "The pain is excruciating, but she has such a positive mindset."
Through a GoFundMe page, Peterson has been keeping loved ones up to date on Presley's recovery.
"I would do anything to trade places with her," Peterson said. "She's been through three burn baths. They have her under anesthesia and clean her skin by doing scraping and getting rid of skin that's no longer a service to her. It's very painful, but it's the process of healing."
Since arriving, Peterson said they have received more than 100 letters of support from their town and other burn survivors. Presley's classmates from school, along with other local businesses, have also been conducting fundraisers to help the family cover the costs associated with her treatment.
"We're both homesick," Peterson said. "But the whole community has come together for this, and it's been absolutely unbelievable.
"People know our community because this time last year we were experiencing the B.C. wildfires, where we had to evacuate from our homes. We've shown that we're a strong community, and I hope people see that."
Donations online to help ease the financial burden associated with trauma counselling, physiotherapy and ongoing costs at home have so far surpassed $20,000.
"Right now we feel super-blessed to have that ease on our financial burden and support from the community. I would lose everything without that," Peterson said.
