After surviving a vehicle fire, Rainbow Brockenborough has turned her scars into advocacy for other burn victims.
Brockenborough, a CCHCS Regional Healthcare Executive, was vacationing in the desert when a family outing went from exhilarating to tragic.
While on an ATV ride with her family, she heard a popping noise and assumed it was a tire. In a matter of seconds, flames engulfed her seat.
Concerned about her family’s safety, she pleaded with them to get out of the ATV while she fought to unbuckle herself.
Having sustained severe burns, she was then airlifted to a university burn unit, where she spent months in recovery.
After returning home, Brockenborough faced physical and emotional challenges of recovery head-on.
Her daughter stepped into the role of nurse, helping Rainbow’s recovery also became a journey for her family and friends.
Her journey back to health became a testament to her courage, strength, and determination.
Rainbow Brockenborough: From burn victim to advocate
Her harrowing experience ignited a newfound passion: giving back to the community she is now part of.
Brockenborough now volunteers with the Firefighters Burn Institute’s Little Heroes Family Burn Camp, a recovery program for young burn survivors, aged 1-6, and their families. The program helps families navigate the physical and emotional challenges associated with burn recovery.
As a volunteer for the program, Rainbow supervises babies of siblings that are burn survivors and shares her story with survivors and their families. Her message to families and survivors is clear: scars can tell a story of resilience and hope.
Strength in community
Brockenborough credits her family and colleagues for her successful recovery, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support. Grateful for the community for rallying around her, she is now committed to inspiring others to step up and support causes that make a difference.
Her journey is a reminder of the impact of resilience and strength, challenging others to turn tragedies into triumphs.
Firefighters Burn Institute at a glance
Since 1973, the Firefighters Burn Institute has been dedicated to serving the burn community through treatment, recovery, and prevention since 1973.
Story submitted by Lt. Vanessa Melendez, Camp Commander, Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp
>> Learn more about the organization on their website.
See more stories from the CDCR Weekender.
Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.
Recent CDCR Weekender stories
CDCR leadership attends Women Leaders Conference
CDCR recruiters highlighted female leadership at the recent Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Conference. The department was well-represented this year…
Kern Valley promotion ceremony honors staff
Kern Valley State Prison recently held a promotion ceremony to acknowledge 15 staff for their career accomplishments. The ceremony honored…
Weekender Digest: Public safety, history, rehabilitation
In this Weekender Digest, we look at stories featuring public safety joint law enforcement operations and prison contraband sweeps. Public…
Weekender Digest: Award, wellness, and two tales
This Weekender Digest looks back at an award for officer of the year, a week of wellness fairs, and two…
SATF Operation Hope highlights staff mental health
The quiet hum of anticipation broke into laughter and applause as the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at…
Fitness at 50: OCS Special Agent Scott Givens
When Office of Correctional Safety (OCS) Special Agent Scott Givens turned 50 years old, he ramped up efforts to focus…