Story
My Story
When I was three years old my dress caught fire, altering my life within a split second and leaving me with third degree burns covering 40% of my body. After months in intensive care I was released from hospital, but still had to face years of intrusive reconstructive surgery and hospital appointments, whilst being left with a permanent reminder of the accident, which is visible for the world to see.
Why is the Scar Free Foundation’s mission important?
Scars have a huge impact on your life and mean that something that happens in a split second impacts you forever. There is the physical impact - scars are tight, meaning that they affect your mobility and do not grow with you, requiring many reconstructive surgeries. Then there is the mental impact, dealing with looks, stares or intrusive questions about your trauma from strangers. In the worst case, facing abuse or having people form a perception of you before they have spoken a word to you.
My story is not the only one like this, there are thousands of people impacted by scarring, be it through an accident like mine, conflict or illness.
I am so proud of the life I have and fortunate that my scars have not hindered me from pursuing my dreams and goals. I have had amazing surgeons, incredible and supportive family and friends and have been able to pursue a career in law. Nonetheless, to think I could have lived a life without scarring or that someone else could have an accident like mine and never deal with that same trauma feels unimaginable. With Scar Free, that dream is a very possible reality.
One day, scarring may change your life. Any donation big or small is hugely appreciated to help build towards Scar Free’s mission.
For more information please see Scar Free’s website: