Zach Sutterfield drove early in his junior year of college in July of 2018 to visit his campus at Texas State University with plans to crash on his best friend’s couch while waiting to move into his own apartment when someone set fire to the apartment building. With 68% of his body burned, and a traumatic brain injury, Zach has spent the last four years receiving countless surgeries for his injuries.    In this episode, we’re joined by Zach and his mom, DJ, as we discuss the critical importance of continued education for fire safety, learn from Zach what it is like living with both burns and traumatic brain injury, and learn more about how Zach and DJ are doing today with Sons of the Flag, an organization helping first responders and military families with their burn injury recovery. About Zach & DJ Sutterfield  Zachary Sutterfield is a 24-year-old college student, brother, friend, and son who is living his best life after receiving serious injuries when someone set his apartment on fire on 20 July 2018. Zach received 3rd-degree full-thickness burns to 68% of his body, a traumatic brain injury, and became a double amputee within weeks of the fire. Zach spent over 17 months in a medical facility where he had to relearn the fundamentals of life. Everything from feeding himself to learning to walk again. After recovering from his injuries, his mission in life has changed, but his tenacity has not. His mission now is to educate and promote fire safety. Zach dreams of becoming a teacher and working for Teach for America but now has devoted himself to the mission of fire safety and prevention. He is excited that he will still be an educator on such an important issue that impacts everyone. Today Zach receives his health care from Sons of the Flag. To date, Zach has had 33 surgeries. The latest of which provided him with a thumb. The Sons of the Flag continue to improve Zach’s life and well-being. Not only have they provided him with life-altering surgeries, but they have also given him brotherhood and friendship.  DJ Sutterfield is a wife, mother, veteran, caregiver, and fire safety advocate. She is married to her best friend and soul mate Karl Sutterfield. They have two wonderful boys, Danny and Zachary. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Angelo State University. DJ served as a medic in the US Army, the Hawaii National Guard and the Texas National Guard. She also trained and served as FEMA’s Surge Capacity Force member during Hurricane Irma. Serving her community has always been a passion for DJ. Today she has turned her passion into purpose. She hopes that by sharing her family’s story, she can educate others on the importance of fire prevention education and building safety. Resources from the Show  Zach’s article in People MagazineLearn More About Sons of the FlagComplex TraumasFire Safety Tips from Phoenix SocietyNational Fire Protection OrganizationDonate to Phoenix Society for Burn SurvivorsOur Sponsor A special thank you to our Season One Sponsor, Pritzker Hageman. The Pritzker Hageman burn injury legal team helps burn survivors, and their loved ones pursue compensation and justice throughout the United States. If you have legal questions, the attorneys at Pritzker Hageman are ready to help. Find out more at LegalJourney.guide  Enjoyed the show? Tell us on social media using hashtag #GirlswithGrafts and tagging Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors!