Lucy’s Story

The tips of my fingers and toes were amputated by the time I was a one year old. It’s hard to imagine that something as simple as bathwater could cause so much damage.

The accident happened the day before my first birthday. I had been left unsupervised in the bathroom and accidentally turned on the hot tap. The thermostat wasn’t working and the water had reached boiling point. In just 0.03 seconds, I was severely scalded. Even if my mother had been there, I would still be living with the 33% burns that now mark my body — scars I carry with me every day.

I spent three months in Nottingham City Hospital, battling through two cases of sepsis and trying to prevent being placed on life support. I was anaemic and pyrexic. Eventually, I was allowed home on weekends — a brief escape from the blood pressure checks and the cries of other young patients.

During recovery, I was tube-fed, bathed multiple times a day, and my burns, covering my hands, feet, and right leg, were dressed in pressure garments. I was moisturised three times daily, and my bandages were so thick they looked like boxing gloves. Slowly, the garments came off, the tube was removed, and my dressings became thinner.

I was raised with resilience. I learned to hold milk bottles between my bandaged hands. My teachers were instructed not to treat me any differently than other children. Over time, I learned to tune out the stares and whispers.

Doctors said I wouldn’t walk, but I ran 1500m races in school. They said I wouldn’t be able to write – but I earned a degree in journalism. Though I have limited grip in my right hand, I learned to drive.

It hasn’t always been easy. I still face internal battles. Some days are harder than others. But over time, life has gotten better. I’ve come to accept the reflection I see in the mirror – scars and all.

Now, at 31, I still undergo surgeries to release burn contractures that limit my movement. In March 2025, I underwent the amputation of four toes — a new physical challenge arising decades after the original accident.

I continue to have good days and bad. But my scars have pushed me to chase my goals. Today, I’m a qualified Probation Officer, holding two degrees. I’m in a loving relationship, a homeowner, and a proud pet mum.

My journey has taken me far – connecting with burn survivors around the world (India, Nepal and China), volunteering with disabled children in Cambodia, and even traveling solo to places I never imagined.

It might sound like a cliché, but it’s true: life with scarring does get better. Sometimes, all it takes is hearing that from someone who’s lived it. I hope that by sharing stories like mine, someone out there might feel a little less alone.

Many burn survivors feel isolated — but they’re not.

To me, being “scar free” is a state of mind. My burns are part of who I am; they make me unique, and I’m proud of that. While research into scar-free healing promises breakthroughs in treatment, it also offers hope for change in attitudes — helping people find confidence, embrace their appearance, and break down stigma. But also, to live in a scar free world means that one day no one will have to face the harsh reality that come with being a burn survivor – the physical, social and psychological trauma.

As an Ambassador for The Scar Free Foundation, I’m passionate about raising awareness and showing others that visible difference doesn’t mean limited potential. One day, through relentless research and dedication, I believe we’ll reach a world where scarring can be prevented — but until then, I’ll keep proving that scars don’t define limits.