Seeking Craven’s Heart

Wes Craven’s change of heart has come far too late for many survivors of serious burn injuries, particularly young children (“A Change of ‘Heart,’ ” by Eric Harrison, Oct. 26). I work for a personal injury firm in Los Angeles that specializes in representing survivors of serious burn injuries. I was burned at the age of 2 and I volunteer my time counseling burn survivors, a number of them children, who are inevitably taunted, teased and compared to Freddy Krueger.

Although I am certain Craven did not intentionally create this character to perpetuate the Hollywood stereotype that all burn survivors are monsters, the reality is that has been the horrific result.

If he truly has undergone a “change of heart,” perhaps he will take this opportunity to utilize his influence with the media to perpetuate a more positive image of the much-maligned burn survivor. I invite him to attend the World Burn Congress, a gathering of burn survivors from all over the world, scheduled to take place in San Francisco in July 2000. Perhaps putting a heart and a soul behind the disfigurement will evoke compassion and a greater understanding of the far-reaching damage caused by Freddy Krueger.

KAREN R. DODGE

Beverly Hills