In this inspiring episode of Girls with Grafts, Diana Tenney-Laperriere shares her story of survival. In 2010, one surprisingly warm early spring day turned into tragedy when Diana was burned over 90% of her body. At the age of 54, Diana was given less than a one percent chance to live. More than 400 days later, Diana returned home. 

Years and countless surgeries later, Diana and her husband, Jerry, found a new calling to advocate and support burn survivors nationwide. In this episode, we talk with Diana about her struggle with alcoholism, how she and Jerry navigated their relationship post-accident, the importance of physical fitness in recovery, and how to advocate for yourself and loved ones. 

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Meet Our Guest 

In 2010 at the age of 54, Diana Tenney-Laperriere was burned 94% of her body, which consisted of mostly third degree burns. Dianna spent over a year recovering from her injury in the hospital and then went on to have reconstructive surgeries for the next seven years.

She has spent most of the last 10+ years working with other burn survivors and medical researchers. She is the past president, secretary, and treasures of Burn Survivors of New England, co-coordinator of Knowledge Translation for the Boston-Harvard Burn Model Systems, trained Phoenix Society peer supporter, previous speaker with the American Burn Association, former Wellness Room Leader at Phoenix World Burn Congress, and so much more. She is extremely active in burn research and advocacy. Diana has also been sober for many years and is active in AA. 

Dianna married her sweetheart, Jerry, in 2023 and has currently relocated with her husband, dog Barney, and cat Pebbles, to Tennessee to help care for her mother. Additionally, Diana is very physically active and participates in ZUMBA and yoga. 

Links 

• Get Your Copy of God Never Moved
• Information about Alcoholics Anonymous
• Burn Survivors of New England
• Boston-Harvard Burn Model Systems
• Volunteer for Phoenix SOAR with Phoenix Society 
• Research Opportunities with Phoenix Society
• Become a Phoenix Advocate

Podcast Sponsor 

Today's podcast is powered by Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services). Solvita comes from “sol” meaning sun and “vita” meaning life. As sunlight nurtures new life, Solvita takes the donor gift and transforms it into new hope, bringing the light of healing to patients through blood donations and  tissue transplants. Learn more about them here: https://solvita.org/  

Sponsor Girls with Grafts  

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