Gary’s Story

At 16 years old, my appearance changed forever.

I was in a car with my friend who was driving, when he lost control of the car while we were travelling on a bend. The car flipped on impact with the curb, and we landed in the front garden of a house. We were both trapped inside the burning car – sadly, my friend lost his life.

I now live with a constant reminder of that evening. I lost my index finger on left hand, part of my right ear and my right bum cheek. I had 75% full thickness burns to my face and scalp and a closed head injury. My injuries were so bad, I was in a coma for over a year.

When I woke from my coma, I didn’t want to be here anymore. I was in hospital for almost a year and my rehabilitation was slow and painful.

I honestly believe it is a miracle I survived. Now, I want to tell my story and hopefully stop anyone else from making the same mistakes as I did.

Today, I’m happy to be a youth justice facilitator. I help young people through their orders, and teach them how to make the most of their sentences so they can have as bright a future as possible.

To be an Ambassador for The Scar Free Foundation is literally a wish made that has come true. Their mission is to create a world without scarring – a world where you don’t have the errors or the accidents of your past mapped out on your skin for all to see. I understand the science is there and I know that it would be a lifeline for so many people.

I really feel I have a purpose in life now. I’m in a much happier place, looking forward to what life has in store for me.