Burns are much more than mere surface injuries. Unlike other injuries, burns typically appear to worsen substantially before they improve. Physiologically, extreme burns can lead to severe infection, major organ failure and, eventually, what is akin to total system failure. Psychologically, the difficulties associated with burns can be overcome with strong support from families, friends, loved ones and the many specialists who comprise the burn team.

Because burns can be very disfiguring, they are often associated with actual and/or perceived social ostracism or rejection by family and loved ones. This program examines the special concerns of individuals with severe burn injuries: in their own words and from the perspective of the loved ones and specialists who work together to help reconstruct, readjust and rehabilitate the lives of people who have been burned.

There are approximately 2 million burn accidents each year in the United States and more than 100,000 patients require hospitalization. The greatest percentage of burns are caused by scalding liquids and flame. Other common causes of burns include electrical, chemical and contact burns.

There have been some important, recent technological advances in the care and treatment of burn injuries that hold promise for certain individuals who, five or ten years ago, might not have survived from severe burn injuries.

In this 57 minutes of sincere and very personal recounting of what it means to have been burned, viewers will experience the strength of the human spirit and the effect of love on the recovery of people who have been burned.

Designed primarily for the families and loved ones of people with burn injuries, RESERVOIRS OF STRENGTH is an enlightening film which is also suitable for use in the public education arena.

The film grew out of approximately 25 filmed interviews with patients, plastic surgeons, psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, family members and friends of people who have been severely burned.

The film has been BROADCAST in four countries and has found its way into approximately 600 burn centers, hospitals and nursing facilities across the United States and Canada. R.O.S. is the recipient of ten major film festival AWARDS. It is offered for further broadcast licenses.