I was just a toddler when I changed my appearance. I pulled a pot of boiling water off the kitchen counter, resulting in third degree burns and scarring over my neck and upper body.
I think I first became aware of the difference that my scars made to my life when I had to wear an all-in-one swimsuit. I didn’t understand why I had to be different, but I knew that I was. I went to Spain with my family and I was in a fleece on the beach. Today, I have grown in courage – and recently started having swimming lessons – but even now those early memories and feelings of being different are still in my mind. It’s a fear of judgement and it’s really tough.
Growing up, I didn’t have much access to support. There was no dedicated burns unit where I lived and little was provided in the way of psychological support. I have recently undergone reconstructive surgery to create a lobe on my ear, and have had further surgery to help improve the appearance of my scars, and release the tightness typical of scarring.
