If Your Partner Suffered Burns from Head to Toe, Would You Respond Like This Guy?

Since a tragic accident in 2011, Turia Pitt’s story keeps resurfacing anywhere inspirational stories are told. And for good reason.

Turia is an all-around determined person. She put herself through school to be a mining engineer, supplementing her income with modeling jobs. She took on fitness at the most demanding level — ultra marathons.

Then her life took a different turn.

The Australian ex-model Turia Pitt suffered burns to 65 per cent of her body, lost her fingers and thumb on her right hand and spent five months in hospital after she was trapped by a grassfire in a 100 kilometre ultra-marathon in the Kimberley.

But that same determination carried her through this life-threatening trial. Not only did she survive (as the doctors said she probably wouldn’t), but she has gone through dozens of surgeries with her head held high. She is a motivational speaker and advocate for Interplast, an organization that gives free reconstructive surgery to people in developing countries.

One other thing helped her endure beyond her own inner strength, and that was the love and support of her boyfriend, Michael Hoskin.

His response to Turia’s injuries was almost as impressive as hers. He quit his job to care for her recovery. He stuck with her all through the four tough years since the bush fire, and has only good things to say about her.

“She’s beautiful, you know, she’s amazing. …She doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her.”

He’s been quoted as giving this answer when a reporter asked if he’d ever considered abandoning Turia when it got too hard: “I married her soul, her character, and she’s the only woman that will continue to fulfill my dreams.” I can’t find whether that’s a real quote or one of those things that gets a life of its own on the internet, but I think his actions speak for themselves. 

What a great example of unconditional love.

Michael says he bought a diamond ring while Turia was in Intensive Care 4 years ago. They are engaged now, and I have a feeling this marriage is going to be a great one. They already know that their commitment runs deep. It’s not based on superficial feelings or looks.

You never know what life’s going to throw at you after the wedding day. The question is, will you let it change the commitment you made? When I promised Catherine, “until death do us part,” I meant it. No matter what.

Marriage is not to be entered lightly. When two people get married with the kind of dedication that Michael and Turia show, they become an example to the rest of the world of what real love looks like!