Beyond The Burn: Defying The Odds On and Off the Water

Many burn survivors face the harsh reality after a burn injury of wondering if they will ever return back to ‘normal’. For many, the long journey to recovery can seem both overwhelming and uncertain—not knowing what the future can hold or how long recovery (both physical and emotional) may take. A burn survivor’s journey to recovery is not often quick—and it can be in these moments of uncertainty that finding purpose and motivation can help survivors overcome some of their darkest moments. 

For Matt Manzari, a career in wakeskating that began at an early age seemed like what he was born to do. However, after two major traumatic events—a wakeskating water accident and an electrical burn injury, he was left not knowing what his future may hold. In this episode, we talk with Matt about his personal journey to recovery, how he found purpose after his accidents, and what returning back to ‘normal’ meant for Matt. 

About Matt Manzari

Matt Manzari fell in love with water sports at an early age. He started wakeskating and before he knew it, he was sponsored by Nike and traveling the world doing what he loved at the age of 15!  It seemed like his career was established, and Matt knew what he would do for the rest of his life! However, God had other plans and began to work on his heart. 

Matt went on to school to study Theology and four years laters, he was about to graduate and he and his wife were excited to move into full-time ministry. The weekend before his final exams, and even though he had pretty much removed himself from the sport, Matt entered into the pro tour contests to earn some extra money. However, tragedy struck and he was involved in an accident that doctors were amazed he survived. 

A year later, Matt began working in ministry. He was trimming trees at a local church and a power line arched over to the metal bucket he was standing in. 14,000 Volts shot through his body and caused 4th and 5th-degree burns, which melted most of the skin off of his chest and arms, going deep enough to kill muscle and bone. Matt was rushed to the emergency center and doctors were not sure if he would ever wake from the coma he was in. 

Miraculously, a few days later he woke up from the coma and began to speak. After multiple surgeries of tissue removal, artificial skin placement, and skin grafts, Matt was released just over three months later. 

Resources from the Show 

• Visit Matt Manzari’s Website.
• Purchase Matt’s Book on Amazon.
• Learn More About Operation Wake Surf.
• Follow Matt on Facebook.
• Follow Matt on Instagram.
• Watch Matt on YouTube.
• Visit the Burn Community Bookshelf.
• Learn More About Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress.
• Watch ‘Finding Purpose After a Burn Injury’.
• Read the Article ‘Pain Management After a Burn Injury’.
• Watch ‘Telling Your Story to Make a Difference’.
• Download Your Free Copy of ‘A Caregiver’s Guide to a Burn Injury’.
• Share Your Burn Survivor Story Online.
• Join the Online Burn Survivor Communities for Peer Support.
• Get Your Own Copy of Phoenix Society’s Journey Magazine.
• For More Resources, Visit Us Here.

About Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

For more than 150 years, Mallinckrodt has been advancing the fields of science and medicine to improve the lives of people around the world. Learn more by visiting https://www.mallinckrodt.com.

Sponsor Girls with Grafts 

Interested in becoming a sponsor of the show? Email us at info@phoenix-society.org. 

Enjoyed the show? Tell us on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!