Real stories

Read or listen to real stories from people affected by visible difference, their parents and families, as well as Changing Faces staff and volunteers. Inspired to share your story? We’d love to hear it – share your story now.

All stories

A young girl who has eczema wears a black coat and smiles at the camera. She is outside.

Sabira’s story: “The feeling of being understood overwhelmed me”

16 September 2020

Opening up helped Sabira feel more confident about her eczema and showed her the importance of discussing visible differences.

A woman wearing a black top smiles. She has scars from keloids on her chest and face.

Bianca’s story: “You can handle anything that life throws at you”

9 September 2020

Bianca developed keloids as a teenager, but with the support of a positive online group, she learned to love her visible difference.

A young woman with a port wine birthmark and blonde hair smiles across a table next to bright orange and red flowers.

Eleanor’s story: “I’m not bothered by my birthmark”

2 September 2020

Meeting people with visible differences helped Changing Faces campaigner Eleanor open up about her port wine stain birthmark.

A little girl wears a grey shark costume. She smiles and raises her arms.

Kiri and Paiva’s story: “She can do anything and no one can stop her”

27 August 2020

Kiri has alopecia, and when her daughter Paiva also started losing her hair, it pushed her to accept their visible differences.

A woman and little boy pose together in front of a beautiful lake and mountain landscape.

Seria’s story: “It is hard but it does get better”

12 August 2020

Seria was involved in a collision which caused facial scarring. Cycling played a key role in her recovery and mental wellbeing.

A woman sits at a table with two young girls either side of her. They are drawing on yellow paper.

Julie on our children and young people’s services during the pandemic

6 August 2020

Julie shares resources for anyone with a visible difference during the pandemic, and support for young people returning to school.

A young woman, who has a skin flap on her right cheek caused by removing a tumour, smiles at the camera. She is wearing glasses and a black t-shirt.

Crystal’s story: “You can do anything you set your mind to”

28 July 2020

Actor Crystal, who has a skin flap on her right cheek, is determined that actors with visible differences should be seen and heard.

A woman holds up Scrabble tiles reading "Rachel".

Rachel’s story: “We are so much more than how we look”

27 July 2020

Rachel, who has a birthmark around her eye, has discovered that living with a visible difference gives her empathy for others.

Head of Wellbeing Sam Cheatle smiles at the camera

Sam shares tips on becoming a more empathetic listener

23 July 2020

Sam, our Head of Wellbeing Services, shares tips on how to be a more empathetic listener.

A young woman hugs a man wearing military uniform. They both smile at the camera.

Ella’s fundraising story: Coast to coast challenge

8 July 2020

Ella, Changing Faces volunteer campaigner, writes about supporting her dad on his Liverpool to Skegness cycle challenge.

A woman with red hair smiles, against a white background.

Stephanie’s story: “It’s no fun trying to be someone else”

8 July 2020

Stephanie used to hide her visible difference, but becoming a mum (not to mention a brave haircut!) led her to self-acceptance.

A man with a port wine stain birthmark on his face smiles next to another man, who's wearing a striped top. Both are smiling.

AJ’s story: “Be confident, be proud and smile like you mean it”

1 July 2020

AJ has a port wine stain birthmark on his face. Building up his confidence and resilience helped AJ live the life he wants to.