02 Nov 2007
BY SHERALYN TAY
FIVE months ago, Mr Karthigayan Ramakrishnan, 24, was badly burnt and left clinging to life after a jet crashed into an army storeroom in Taipei, setting it ablaze. With burns to 45 per cent of his body, the Third sergeant was so badly injured that doctors were not sure if he would pull through. He did.
Now, he talks to Sheralyn Tay about his recovery, his plans for the future and why saving your skin for the Singapore Skin Bank is so important.
Five months on, how has your life changed after the accident?
My life has definitely changed but what has not changed is my determination to live. Before the accident, I was at the peak of my life. I was fit and healthy because I was in the army, I had a girlfriend, and I was planning to study. But when the accident happened, it shook things up.
Right when it happened, I told myself life was going to change.
My appreciation of life has deepened. What was most amazing, for me, was how people — even those I didn't know — sent get-well wishes.
My friend left a guestbook at the hospital and many people wrote in it, even the security guards! Now, when my girlfriend and I visit the hospital, people approach me to find out what it's like to go through it because they want to know how their loved one feels.
Was there any one point during the accident or your recovery when you thought you weren't going to make it?
The only time the thought crossed my mind was when I made the decision to jump out (of the burning store). If I died, I would have no regrets. But I was worried for my girlfriend and mum. When they carried me out later, I told myself that whatever happens, happens. I left it up to my body. Maybe it was the adrenaline, but I was still joking with the people who were carrying me out.
What was the recovery and rehabilitation period like? What was your reaction when you saw the extent of your injuries for the first time?
When I came out from sedation after four weeks, the pain was unbearable. I was hallucinating from the medication. I dreamt my loved ones were in danger. I kept trying to save them.
They estimated that my hospital stay would be five to six months, but after six weeks in the intensive-care unit and two weeks in high-dependency, I was discharged from hospital. So, it took just eight weeks for me.
After six weeks in ICU, I couldn't walk! I didn't expect that. I couldn't talk, couldn't eat! So, I had to do some physiotherapy. Right after the accident, I wasn't worried about it, but later, I was a bit worried. I've always taken pride in the way I looked and dressed, and taken pains to look my best. But the doctors keep reassuring me the scars will fade a bit.
What have you learnt from your experience?
There is very little understanding about burns here and the rate of donation at the Skin Bank is very poor.
It's very important for burn victims to get donor skin because in the first instance you are burnt, skin needs to be placed on the affected area. It's not always the burns that kill people; sometimes, it's the infection and dehydration from losing skin.
Donor skin, which lasts two weeks and then then drops off, gives your own skin time to regenerate. Human skin takes two weeks to grow and in that time, if no skin is placed on the burn area, infection and dehydration can set in. Getting skin from overseas is very expensive.
I want to encourage people to donate their skin — just small patches from the unnoticeable areas. It will save lives.
How did the Burns Support Group help you?
No one can explain better and understand better what a burn patient goes through than another burn patient. For me, survivors from the SQ006 crash in Taipei in 2000 were testimony that I could make it, too.
One of them told me: "We're soldiers, we're scarred, so wear it with pride." That made a lot of sense.
Now, I accept that my scars are a part of me. I'm fine with it.
What's life like now? And what have you planned for the future?
I've ORD-ed (Operationally Ready Date, the completion of National Service) and left the army. I'm better and going to the gym to get back in shape. I get tired easily as I'm still recovering and need 12 to 15 hours' sleep a day.
I am applying to study next year, either political science or international business. I'm interested in starting motivational or educational programmes once I'm working.
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