Burn victims Adrianna, Alecia forge bond, plan to face future as team
Published:Friday | February 28, 2025 | 12:11 AMAshley Anguin/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
Brought together by tragedy, burn victims 15-year-old Adrianna Laing and 19-year-old Alecia King, who met for the first time at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday, plan to rely on each other for motivation, strength, and solidarity as they continue to do corrective surgeries and adjust to their new lifestyle.
Given the nicknames ‘Purpose Child’ and ‘Walking Testimony’, respectively, by their parents since their ordeal, it was all smiles and hugs when both victims met shortly after Laing returned to the island, where King was awaiting her.
Both were dressed alike - in pink sweaters and black tights. The meeting was organised by members of the Sanmerna Paper Products Limited, which has assisted both victims, and to date, has raised US$40,000 to assist with burn victims travelling overseas for treatment.
King, who spent two weeks at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Texas in the United States (US) to do corrective surgery, told The Gleaner that meeting Laing gave her strength and that she believed that they were both strong, young women. Laing was arriving home from her latest visit to the US facility.
“It was my first time meeting a fellow burn survivor, so it brings back a lot of memories,” said King. “Seeing someone in the same position as me brings out a lot and makes me feel strong. Listening to her speak lifts my spirit and gives me even more confidence in myself. It makes me want to continue being bold, being out there, making my videos on TikTok and going live.”
King, who did laser surgery on her neck and left axilla during her second time travelling for surgery, added: “I might be doing this with the impact of encouraging and uplifting others, but I can’t know the impact I am creating unless I hear it from a fellow burn victim. Hearing it, I feel so proud of myself.
Laing said she also plans on staying in touch with King so they can provide each other with moral support.
“I plan on keeping in contact with her because before meeting her in person, I always see her on TikTok. I see her wearing short-sleeve clothes, and it just inspires me because I don’t like to do it. Seeing her do it, it gives me confidence, and she boosts me now to start wearing them as well,” said Laing.
Laing spent 16 weeks doing her treatment to release and graft to the right breast, axilla, and scar revision. She also had her prosthetic leg changed and received rehabilitation services.
So far, Laing, who arrived with her father, Adrian Laing yesterday, has undergone 28 surgeries, while King, who had travelled with her mother, Julian Mendez, has undergone 30 surgeries.
According to Laing’s father, with both victims meeting, it is a wonderful feeling, and they should both keep pushing forward.
“The sky’s the limit. Not because they have scars outside, they are beautiful, and God loves them. I have been following Alecia’s story from day one, and it touches me a lot. I know my story is similar, but it is an amazing feeling. Travelling back and forth has been rough, but I have to give thanks. I have my daughter to look at, chat and smile with. There is nothing that can stop me from being by her side,” he said.
Mendez said the bond between her and her daughter has been stronger since the ordeal.
“Is not like she is my daughter alone. She is like my friend. I only have she to talk to most of the time. I tell her she is beautiful all the time and God sent her for a reason. I tell her she is strong. I use my situation or what I go through to help her through her difficult times,” she said.