Burn victim speaks out at Grossman event

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. (KABC) -- The Grossman Burn Foundation has launched a campaign to stop the violence carried out against women around the world. One victim of horrific violence in Southern California spoke out Thursday night.

Roberta Busby was released from the Grossman Burn Foundation on Monday after undergoing eight months of treatment. Her last surgery was a week ago. Thursday night, the dancer and single mother of two talked about the horrific assault that has changed her life forever.

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Roberta Busby spent two months in a coma and has undergone 15 surgeries since being doused with gasoline and set on fire last February outside the Babes N' Beer Sports Bar, where she worked as a dancer. Busby suffered burns to 60 percent of her body.

Thursday night at a benefit for the Grossman Burn Foundation, she is revealing her scars for the first time and speaking publicly about her ordeal.

"I'm just stronger," said Busby. "I just teach my kids not to take life for granted, the little tiny things. Feeding myself, that was a big, big, big issue."

Busby is a single mother of two. She says it's her daughters, ages 5 and 9, that have helped her find her inner strength.

"I think that's the only reason I survived, I think so. Because I didn't have a good chance, but I think it was my kids that helped me," said Busby.

Doctor Peter Grossman is the man who saved Busby's life.

"At this very early stage of her recovery that she's willing to make a step out in public and say, 'Hey, here I am, I'm still hurting, I'm still healing, but I want to start to help others,'" said Dr. Grossman, Grossman Burn Foundation.

Thursday night's benefit at the Westfield Topanga Shopping Mall was in support of the foundation's Stop Violence Against Women Globally Campaign. Celebrity ambassadors Nicolette Sheridan and Linda Gray were there to help raise awareness.

"Be more cautious of your surroundings," said Busby. "I was dancer and I had to do what I had to do, but it wasn't worth it."

Dr. Grossman says Busby has a long road to recovery. She will still have to undergo several more surgeries.

The man and woman charged with Busby's attempted murder have yet to stand trial.

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