Brayden’s story: ‘My life changed in seconds’

I was five years old when my life changed in a matter of seconds.

It was 2009 and I’d only just started school. I came home one afternoon feeling hungry and decided to cook some noodles. As I reached to turn the element off at the wall, the top I was wearing touched the hot element and caught fire. One moment I was a little kid making something to eat. The next, I was screaming and running for my life.

I didn’t know what to do. At that age, you don’t understand things like stop, drop and roll. I remember panic. We lived down a shared driveway and one of our neighbours was outside. He ripped the shirt off me and called out to my mum. Mum got me into the shower and under cold water, and from there everything moved fast. There was an ambulance, a hospital in Dunedin, and then a flight to Auckland to the National Burns Unit, where I was placed in an induced coma for three weeks while my body tried to heal.

That was just the beginning. Since then, I’ve had around 60 to 70 operations, and I’m still having them. In the early days, even changing my bandages meant surgery because my skin was so sensitive. Because I was burned so young, my body kept growing, but scar tissue doesn’t stretch like normal skin. So, as I grew, the operations kept coming. Burns happen in a moment, but the consequences can last a lifetime. I know that because I’ve lived it.

‘I didn’t feel alone anymore’

The physical pain has been immense, but the mental side has had its own challenges. When I was younger, I thought I was the only one. That changed when I connected with the Burn Support Charitable Trust. Through its annual camp, I met other young people who understood exactly what I was going through. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. I was surrounded by people who knew the surgeries, the scars, the setbacks and the strength it takes to keep going.

Over time, I’ve learned that acceptance matters. The scars are part of me now. They have shaped who I am, but they don’t define the limits of my life. They’ve made me stronger, more grateful and more aware of what really matters. That doesn’t mean it’s been easy. School was hard at times, and being away for weeks for operations meant missing lessons and moments other kids took for granted. Even now, as an adult and a branch manager in Dunedin, time away for surgery can still disrupt work and life. But I’ve learned to keep moving forward.

Building a fulfilling life

These days, I’m proud of the life I’m building. I started as a Christmas casual and worked my way up to become branch manager of a Dunedin store. I get to lead a team I care about and work alongside people who’ve been incredibly supportive. Outside work, I spend time at the gym, with friends and with family. When you’ve been through something life-changing, you don’t take ordinary moments for granted.

I still have big goals too. I’ve always wanted to work in the emergency services, and becoming a police officer remains my number one ambition. I’ve got a few more operations ahead of me before I’m ready to fully pursue that path, but I’m hopeful. What I’ve been through has made me more determined to help other people.

I wouldn’t be where I am without my family, especially my mum. She has been there from day one — through every surgery, every appointment and every setback. My wider family and friends have carried me too. Their support has been constant, and I’ve never forgotten that.

‘We couldn’t have done it without ACC’

I must also mention ACC. Since my accident, they’ve supported my recovery through ongoing surgeries, medical costs and counselling. I honestly don’t know how we would’ve done it without them.

If my story does anything, I hope it reminds people how quickly a burn injury can happen and how important prevention is, especially around children. Hot elements, hot water, hot drinks, heaters, electric blankets and hot water bottles might seem ordinary, but they can change a life in seconds.

But I also hope my story says something else – that life after trauma can still be full and amazing. There were times when none of this felt possible. At five years old, I could never have imagined the life I have now. But I’m here. I’m still going. And every day I get to live, work, dream and spend time with the people I love – that feels like something worth being deeply thankful for.

Burn injuries by the numbers

• In 2025, ACC accepted more than 20,000 burns-related injury claims which came at a cost of more than $40 million to help people recover
  
  
• The age group with the highest number of burns-related injuries:
  • 0-4 year olds -  2,570 burn related injuries
  • 35-39 year olds - 1,495 burn related injuries
  • 30-34 year olds - 1,476 burn related injuries
    
    
• The regions with the highest number of burns-related injury claims in 2025 were:
  • Auckland - 7,046 burn related injuries
  • Canterbury - 2,448 burn related injuries
  • Waikato - 2,195 burn related injuries
  • Wellington - 1,573 burn related injuries
    
    
• The most likely place to sustain a burns-related injury in 2025 was
  • in the home - 15,416 burn related injuries
  • in a commercial/service location - 1,341 burn related injuries
  • in a industrial place 685 burn related injuries
  • at school - 617 burn related injuries
  • during sports and recreation - 486 burn related injuries
    
    
• The most likely cause of a burns-related injury was preparing food or drink (3,195) ahead of employment-related tasks (1,092)
  
  
• The most common area of the body impacted by a burns-related injury were hand wrist (5,840), lower leg (3,224) and arm (2,740)