Isabella’s tips for handling unwanted Christmas conversation
Our campaigner Isabella gives her top five tips for dealing with inappropriately inquisitive loved ones this festive season.
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
Izzy’s story: “Until Changing Faces, I’d never met anyone else with a visible difference.”
Izzy shares her experiences of living with a visible difference in Portugal and the UK, as well as what she gained from our online group support, Peer Group Chat.
Ashley and Jordan: “Enjoy the uniqueness of your child.”
Ashley and Jordan have already experienced negativity towards their son Theo's birthmark, prompting them to raise awareness of Theo's condition and offer tips to others in similar situations.
Joanne’s story: “I haven’t let EB define who I am”
Joanne’s condition has caused her emotional and physical pain, but that's made her more determined to follow her own path and achieve her dreams.
Paige’s story: “Everyone is unique, that’s what makes them amazing”
Paige hopes people can embrace all forms of difference in future, viewing uniqueness as part of everyone’s beauty.
Gemma’s story: “Changing Faces is a lifeline.”
Gemma’s son, Finley, has a rare condition known as lymphangioma. She shares her family’s journey and hopes for Finley’s future.
Lucy’s story: “Eczema is no longer the main antagonist”
Lucy’s eczema has caused her physical and emotional pain, but after receiving support from Changing Faces, she’s rewritten the narrative surrounding her condition.
Dave’s story: “We were connected through shared experiences.”
Dave joined our online group support, Peer Group Chat, because he wanted to connect with people who could relate to having a visible difference.
Rob’s story: “Stand up for acceptance”
Rob speaks about the importance of being an ally to people with visible differences, and why empathy is the key to everything.
Films shouldn’t make life a horror for people with visible differences
For the visible difference community, Halloween can be a terrifying reminder of the association between difference and monstrosity. Campaigner Chris believes films aren’t helping.
Sophie’s tips for an inclusive Halloween
Dressing up for Halloween is part of the fun, but Sophie is asking people to think about the impact of using a condition as a costume.
Lizzy’s story: “Focus on what is important to you in life”
Bullying made Lizzy lose her self-confidence, but through challenging herself, she now sees her cleft as a source of strength.