Burn Survivor & Ambassador, Kiki shares their story

When Kiki (going by Crystal at the time) was 15 years old in 2016, they experienced an accident involving naked candles. Now 23, Kiki reflects on how that moment reshaped their life and motivated them to help others.

“I had third-degree burns across my stomach, up my left upper arm, and the front of my shoulder,” explained Kiki, born in Southampton, now based in London. “There are no words to describe how painful it was.”

Following the accident, Kiki was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They were placed on the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) waiting list, but it took over a year before they received support.

It’s because of what they endured that Kiki is now dedicated to helping others who have experienced both physical and mental trauma. In 2022, they founded a theatre company called Enlight Insight, which focuses on creating thought-provoking theatre that inspires social change.

Through their company, Kiki has toured two solo shows that delve into their experiences and recovery from the accident. The first, The Snake Pit, explores themes of trauma and avoidance, offering audiences a raw and honest look at the steps we take to avoid talking about what truly matters. The second, Ladybug, is an autobiographical performance that takes audiences through Kiki’s “meadow of memories,” recounting the story of their burns accident and their journey to acceptance. Both shows have been performed at various theatres and fringe festivals, receiving heartfelt praise for their impact and vulnerability.

In addition to theatre, Kiki has expressed their experiences through poetry, using imagery and language to process and share their trauma. One of their poems, Scars, encapsulates the resilience and transformation that emerged from their journey:

To the scars that mark my body,
I thank you
I thank you for your warm embrace on a winters day
And for your firm grip when I feel myself fall

I thank you for the way you caress my skin
And dance across my body
I thank you for growing with me as I age
and becoming one with who I am

I thank you for that elegant trail I often trace across my skin
I thank you for your vibrant colours that brighten up my canvas
I thank you for allowing me to embrace the darkness amongst the light in this world

I thank you for reminding me

That I am strong
That I am here
That I survived

I thank you for being there with me, through it all
Like no one else could have been
or ever will be able too

I thank you.

There was a time I sought to neglect you

To rip you from your shrine

To tear you apart

To watch you burn
As I burnt

When I was set aflame
And you
were born

You are apart of me now
And I accept you.

You are mine
And I am yours

I accept you.

We would like to thank Kiki for their continued support as an ambassador to the charity and for their fundraising initiatives.