Lucy’s Story

The tips of my fingers were amputated. So were tips of my toes. It’s hard to believe that such damage could be caused by a little bathwater.

I was scalded the day before my first birthday when I was left unsupervised in the bathroom. I had accidentally knocked the hot tap, and temperature limiter wasn’t working. I was scalded in 0.03 seconds. If my mother had been in the bathroom, I would have still endured the 33% scars to my body, which I carry around with me every day.

I made it through my three-month recovery period in Nottingham City Hospital, fighting off two blood poisonings and a life support machine. I was then allowed home at weekends. Home was a weekend vacation, away from the blood pressure machine and cries from the other kids.

I was fed through a tube and the pressure garments were strapped against my burns that covered my hands, feet and right leg. I was creamed three times a day. Bathed at least twice a day. It was a long recovery. Eventually, the pressure garments came off. My tube was thrown away and the boxing gloves as bandages got thinner.

I had the most motivational upbringing. I would hold my milk bottles in between my bandages. My teachers at school were told to treat me like every other child with no special treatment. And I slowly but surely learnt to ignore the whispers and the stares.

Although I was told I wouldn’t walk, I competed in 1500m races at school. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to write so I completed my first degree in journalism. I have limited grip in my right hand and yet I learnt how to drive.

I would be lying if I said it was easy. I still battle my demons at times but my days have got easier and I have grown to accept the scars I see through the mirror every morning.

Now 26, I still have to have operations to release burn contractions that restrict my movement. I still switch from good days to bad days. But my scars have inspired me to pursue my dreams – I am now a qualified Probation Officer holding two degrees. I am also in a wonderful relationship, a homeowner and a cat mum.

With my determination, I have also travelled far – meeting other burn survivors around the world, volunteering with disabled children and travelling solo to the most unlikely of places.

It sounds like a cliché, but living with scarring does get better, and it’s good to hear that from someone. I like to think somebody out there might hear one of our stories and feel like ‘I’m not the only one’.

A lot of burns survivors feel like they’re alone. They’re not.

To me, being scar free is a mind-set. I wouldn’t be the person I am without my burns, they’re one of the things that make me unique, and I’m proud of that. Working towards scar free healing will clearly mean huge breakthroughs in treatment, but also in attitudes. Giving people confidence, helping them accept themselves and removing any stigma; that’s what I think Scar Free means.

Being an ambassador for The Scar Free Foundation, I can pursue my passion in raising awareness of burn scars and to ensure people understand that a disfigurement does not have to stop an individual from achieving the unthinkable. However, I believe that one day, with the hard work that goes into research, the Foundation can help find a way to eradicate scarring.