Ammie was only 18 months old when she had an accident that scarred her for life. While her mother was away for a moment , the curious baby reached up to a hot kettle in the kitchen and poured boiling water all over her body. An ambulance was called and rushed the baby to nearby hospital . About 20 percent of Ammie's body had been burned and all of her burns were third degree. The doctors could tell immediately that Ammie's best chance of survival was specialized burns unit some miles away at Glasgow Royal hospital. There , using tissue taken from unburned areas of Ammie's body, surgeons performed complex skin grafts to close her wounds and control her injuries , an operation that took about six hours. Over the next 16 years, Ammie underwent 12 more operations to repair her body. When she started school at the age of 4 , other pupils made cruel comments or simply wouldn't play with her . "I was the only burned child in the street , the class and the school," she recalls, "Some children refused to become friends with me because of that." Today , age 17 , Ammie can only ever remember being a burned person with scars ; pain is a permanent part of her life, she is still awaiting two further operations. Yet she is a confident, outgoing teenager who offers inspiration and hope to other young burnt victims. Ammie's parents have been a great support to her. "They told me of people had a problem with my burns, the problem with my burns, the problem was theirs not mine," says Ammie. "They taught me to cope with other people's reactions and constantly reminded me I was valued and loved." Ammie's positive attitude to life means she is often contacted by burns charities , helping younger patients build their self-respect to live with permanent scars. Now she is a member the Scottish Burned Children's Club. "Ammie provides so much encouragement for the younger ones. She is optimistic and outgoing and a perfect role model for them , " say Donald Todd, chairman of the club. This month , Ammie will join some younger children on a summer camp. "I'll show them how to _ unkind stares from others , " she says. Ammie loves wearing fashionable sleeveless tops , and she plans to show the children at the summer camp that they can too. "I don't go to great lengths to hide my scars , " she says . "I gave up wondering how other people would react years ago." How many operations will Ammie have to receive altogether ?
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