General session recap: Massari calls attendees to compassion and joy in the midst of suffering

“If you take ‘One Thing’ from me today, I hope it’s that compassion heals the deepest wounds,” said today’s general session speaker Allison Massari.

And the deepest wounds are something that Massari knows intimately. In 1998, Massari was in a horrific car accident in which more than 50% of her body received second and third degree burns. Having just purchased art supplies, she had gallons of turpentine in her car which exploded, making the accident even more horrific. With what doctors later told her was mere three seconds to spare, a bystander pulled her from the inferno.

Over the following months and years, Massari spent more than 400 days in the hospital—on the burn unit, in physical therapy, and in follow-up appointments. In the early days and weeks, she was in excruciating pain and unable to talk to her caretakers, yet on the stage even today, she remembers the kindness of each of them. “On behalf of all those people [who receive care], we thank you,” she said.

Despite the extreme suffering associated with that accident, she reminded listeners that there is always joy present, but you have to nurture it. “We all have the ability to anchor our worst moments into something that resembles the light coming in,” she said.

And much of that joy comes from others’ compassion toward those in pain, she said. It doesn’t matter what your role—directly associated with patient care or not—everyone can be compassionate and extend healing to those in pain.

“Being good at your job is compassionate care. Anyone who eases pain is a healer,” she said. “Every act of kindness makes a difference.” 

Editor’s note: Massari has also turned her pain into hope for others suffering from the aftermath of severe burns by founding the Roger Pepper Adventure Camp for Teen Burn Survivors, named for her rescuer who dragged her from the burning wreck. Learn more by clicking here.