Amber Styles was just beginning her day in February 2024, preparing a simple breakfast in her kitchen, unaware that a small moment would spiral into a life-changing event. It was a Saturday morning, and her children, Ellie and Luca, were playing nearby. While Amber spread avocado on her toast, her kettle quietly heated the water for her coffee. The peacefulness of the morning was soon shattered when Luca, only two years old, made a seemingly innocent decision that would change everything.
Amber’s husband, Matt, had just stepped outside to dispose of the recycling when the kettle boiled. As Amber turned to grab a cup, she suddenly heard a heart-wrenching scream that froze her in her tracks. Turning around, she saw her son, Luca, standing on the kitchen floor, the freshly boiled kettle gripped tightly in his small hand. In that instant, everything slowed down.
The kettle’s boiling water had splashed onto Luca’s arm, and as he shrieked in pain, Amber’s heart dropped. She quickly rushed over, yanking the kettle from his grasp. But the damage had been done. His cotton jumper was soaked in scalding water, and his skin was already beginning to peel off his arm. In a panic, Amber scooped Luca into her arms and rushed him to the bathroom, where she turned on the cold tap and plunged both of them under the spray.
“It’s okay, baby,” Amber whispered, though the fear was palpable in her voice. Luca’s cries of pain were unbearable. He was wailing in agony, and Amber’s hands were shaking as she tried to calm him down. Matt had heard the commotion and rushed back inside, his face stricken with fear. “What happened?” he asked, his voice shaking as he saw Luca’s condition.
Amber was too stunned to answer, her mind racing. She could feel the blood rush to her head as the reality of the situation settled in. Her baby boy had been scalded by boiling water, and it was worse than she had ever imagined.
Luca’s arm, from his forearm to his elbow and upper bicep, was an alarming shade of bright red, and as Amber gently pulled back his sleeve, she could see the skin starting to peel away. “Matt, we have to go to the hospital now,” Amber screamed as she realized the severity of the burns.
Matt’s face paled, and without wasting another second, he dashed to the car to get it ready. Amber remained in the shower, holding Luca tightly, trying to keep him as calm as possible. For what seemed like an eternity, they stood there, the cold water pouring over them, until they were able to rush out the door and head straight to the Papamoa emergency center.
On the drive there, Ellie, who was only four, asked quietly from the back seat, “Is Luca hurting? It’ll be okay, Mama.” Amber, her heart heavy, managed a weak smile. She tried to reassure Ellie, but she couldn’t ignore the sickening feeling in her stomach as she looked at Luca, whose pain was evident in his face.
At the emergency center, doctors immediately recognized the severity of the situation. After a quick assessment, they transferred Luca to Tauranga Hospital, 20 minutes away, by ambulance. The doctors’ words were chilling. They informed Amber that Luca’s burns were severe and required urgent medical attention. They couldn’t treat him at that facility, so he was airlifted to Waikato Hospital, 118 km away, where he would receive specialized care in the burns unit.
As Amber and Luca traveled in the helicopter, her mind scrambled to make sense of what had just happened. She thought back to the events in the kitchen—Luca had likely seen her toast on the counter and climbed onto his little stool to reach it. But instead of simply grabbing the toast, he had inadvertently grabbed the handle of the kettle, sending the boiling water cascading onto his small body.
When the helicopter landed at Waikato Hospital, Luca was rushed into surgery. The doctors acted quickly, trying to relieve the pressure on his swollen arm. “We’ll make cuts down his arm to allow the skin to expand,” the surgeon explained. It was a delicate operation, but one that was necessary to give Luca a chance at recovery.
After the surgery, Amber and Matt were devastated by the news: the burns were third-degree, and Luca would require multiple skin grafts to repair the damage. “How could I let this happen?” Amber cried, guilt weighing heavily on her heart. Matt, equally shaken, wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. “We weren’t to know,” he reassured her.
Luca spent the next five weeks in the hospital, undergoing a series of surgeries to treat his burns. Doctors took skin from his bottom to graft over his damaged arm, and Amber spent every day by his side, trying to keep his spirits up. It wasn’t easy, but she remained strong for her little boy. At times, Luca would cry in pain, but he also showed incredible bravery, often laughing and making jokes despite the severity of his condition.
Amber and Matt had to take time off work to care for Luca, and in that time, they received overwhelming support from their community. A fundraising page was created to help cover the medical costs, and friends, family, and even strangers donated nearly $5000. The local church and long-time clients of Amber’s coffee shop also rallied around the family, offering emotional and financial support during the difficult time.
By the time they were able to bring Luca home in March, Amber was overjoyed, though she knew the road to full recovery was still ahead. Luca would need regular check-ups, ongoing treatment, and his skin would need to be moisturized daily to prevent further complications. But he was healing, and that was all that mattered.
Today, Luca is three years old and has fully embraced life despite the ordeal. His scars are still present, but he wears them with pride. “Look at my arm!” he proudly shows off to anyone who will listen, his cheeky grin as bright as ever. Amber and Matt are incredibly grateful to have their son back to his playful, lively self, and they are thankful for the support they’ve received throughout the recovery process.
The accident was a harsh reminder of how quickly life can change, but it also highlighted the resilience of a family facing hardship together. Amber couldn’t be prouder of her brave little boy, who has shown more strength than she ever thought possible.
Crystal Marshall’s Incredible Journey: From Cancer Diagnosis to Pursuing Her Dreams in Acting 761
Crystal Marshall was a typical young adult living her life with dreams, ambitions, and the excitement of the world ahead—until the unexpected hit. At 18, just after celebrating her birthday, Crystal was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. Her life was turned upside down in a matter of hours, with months of grueling treatment and surgeries ahead. Yet, Crystal’s story isn’t one of despair—it’s one of resilience, courage, and finding a way to turn the darkest moments into a source of strength.
It all began when Crystal visited her dentist for what seemed like a routine check-up. A small lump near her left front tooth had caught her dentist’s attention, something that seemed insignificant at first but soon became the focus of the clinic. As the dental team huddled around her, the anxiety set in. She didn’t think much of it, but the worried looks on their faces were enough to make her feel uneasy. She was then referred to a hospital for further investigation. At that point, the word “cancer” wasn’t even a part of her thoughts, but the medical team had a different concern.
An X-ray showed no immediate cause for alarm, but her medical team wasn’t convinced. They recommended further tests, which led to an even deeper concern—a biopsy was ordered to determine if cancer was involved. Crystal was left in limbo, filled with uncertainty, but she pushed the thought of cancer away. That was until the biopsy results arrived, and everything changed. The day after her 18th birthday, Crystal’s world was shattered when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer. It was devastating news, one that immediately paralyzed her with fear, and the start of a life-altering journey she never expected.
As Crystal began chemotherapy, she experienced the toll cancer treatment takes on a young body—exhaustion, nausea, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The emotional strain weighed heavily on her, but she was determined to keep pushing forward. She soon found herself in the hospital more often than at home, and as the months passed, she became a familiar face to the doctors, nurses, and fellow patients. Crystal’s health continued to decline, and the harsh reality of her condition became apparent. The treatments were rigorous, and her body was struggling. However, Crystal’s determination never wavered.
During this time, Crystal found solace in a unique piece of advice from her sister. After a particularly tough chemo session, her sister suggested Crystal take pictures of her face every week to track her progress. It was a simple idea, but it sparked a powerful shift in Crystal’s mindset. By comparing each photo, she could see the progress of her treatment—a shrinking tumor, a visible improvement. It gave her hope in the face of adversity and motivated her to keep going. For the first time during her treatment, she felt excitement. Excitement not just about the treatment itself, but about the change happening in her body.
Though the physical battle was exhausting, Crystal found an unexpected source of strength in seeing the visible progress. As she began to see her tumor shrink and her body slowly heal, her optimism soared. With each passing week, her spirit was lifted, and it fueled her determination to continue fighting. After a long 7 months of chemotherapy, Crystal underwent a major surgery to remove a significant portion of her jaw and facial tissue, a procedure that would change her appearance permanently. While the surgery was necessary for her survival, it left Crystal grappling with the emotional and psychological impact of the changes to her face.
During the months that followed, Crystal spent weeks in the hospital, receiving care and adjusting to the reality of her new life. She was left with physical scars, but the emotional scars were deeper. Her confidence plummeted, and she began to isolate herself, feeling self-conscious about her appearance. She stayed in her home, avoiding social interactions and retreating into herself. The weight of her appearance anxiety weighed heavily on her, and she felt like she was no longer the same person.
But everything began to change when Crystal took a step towards acceptance. In 2018, after a period of self-reflection, she decided to reclaim her life. She realized that the surgery and her appearance were not everything. She had a bigger dream—a dream that was rooted in her love for acting. Despite the challenges of her past, Crystal began to focus on her future and the career she had always dreamed of. She enrolled at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), one of the most prestigious drama schools in the UK.
Getting accepted into LAMDA was a turning point for Crystal. It was a moment of triumph, not just for her career, but for her self-esteem. She had proven to herself that she could overcome the pain, the isolation, and the emotional scars that had plagued her for so long. At LAMDA, she honed her acting skills and began to see herself as more than just her physical appearance. Crystal was no longer defined by her battle with cancer or her surgery—she was a talented actress with a bright future ahead of her. She embraced her journey and decided to use her experiences to advocate for others facing similar struggles.
Crystal’s journey wasn’t just about physical healing—it was about the power of mindset, the importance of resilience, and the strength of self-love. She became a passionate advocate for facial equality in the performing arts, fighting for the representation of those with facial scars and injuries. Through her advocacy, she continues to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles they face.
Now, Crystal’s journey continues as she moves forward in her acting career. She’s been transferred to LAMDA’s highly competitive three-year BA Professional Acting course and remains determined to use her voice to inspire change. Her story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and transformation, and her message to others is clear: “The cancer does not define you. You are so much more.”
