Burn Victims Converge For Week-Long Conference In Temescal Valley

Burn survivors from across the country and England began a week-long confidence-building retreat in Temescal Valley Sunday, hosted by an Encinitas-based non-profit organization.

Angel Faces, which serves girls and young women with disfiguring burn and other traumatic injuries, is hosting its annual retreat this year at Glen Ivy Resort in Temescal Valley. Attendees will work with experts, meet others in similar situations and learn to be more confident during the event, according to the organization.

Angel Faces founder Lesia Cartelli, who was burned on her face and body in a natural gas explosion at age 9, said the retreat was only a small component.

"We see the fruits of our labor when the girls go back home," Cartelli said. "We receive several calls and emails from the parents and medical centers about how confident and content their daughter/patient is since she has returned -- she joined a sports or academic team at school or now is going to prom, or interviewing for a first job, ending their social death."

Organization officials said the retreats and aftercare programs focused on the healing process and licensed therapists were on hand to help with issues of trauma and loss.--City News Service