Leonora

terrorist attack survivor

Leonora Ogerio survived the Manchester Arena Bombing in May 2017.

Three people posing together for a portrait photo indoors, smiling at the camera.

My name is Leonora Ogerio, and I am a mother of two. My journey with this scarring began when I fell victim to the bomb attack on Manchester Arena in 2017. Twenty-two innocent lives were senselessly taken that evening. I just felt lucky to have survived.

The attack caused me to suffer life-threatening injuries, and I was forced to spend over five months in hospital recovering from the initial effects. I had sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to buy its part of my body, and both my legs and left arm had been fractured.

Patient receiving mechanical ventilation support in intensive care hospital setting with monitoring equipment.

Healed burn scar on person's leg and foot showing textured tissue after injury recovery.

Patient's leg wearing a specialised pressure garment device with blue straps and tubing for scar treatment management.

While these were the physical effects, the atrocity also scarred me psychologically. I feel like I have been locked down for a while. I feel like I’ve been trapped at home, scared to go out. My physical and mental scars are something I have to carry every day.

Despite this, I truly believe that each scar I bear, whether physically or mentally, is just another part of my story. They represent not only the struggle and terror that I experienced, but a fight to be where I am today. That night will forever be the most awful experience I’ve ever had to endure. But my saving grace during the past few years has been the beautiful souls who I have met during my journey, and none more so than those at The Scar Free Foundation.

Man in navy suit speaking with woman wearing black lace top and name badge at formal event.

Professional group of six people in business attire engaged in conversation at an indoor event or networking gathering.

Two professionals standing beside a research poster on Leonora Ogorio's recovery journey after the Manchester Arena attack.

We’re closer than ever to a world without scarring.

With your support, we can fund groundbreaking research that will unlock the secrets of scar free healing and transform the lives of people with scars, both now and in the future.

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