My name is Joseph, I’m 24 years old and I’m from Liverpool. I’m a mental health warrior with mental health conditions that include post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and anxiety.
I have scars on my face and body which I sustained not long ago. These scars have affected me physically and emotionally – when I’m stared at in public and when I’ve been turned down for jobs because I don’t “look the part”. At one job interview, I was told I look like I’m searching for trouble, or that I was mixed up with the wrong people. I was also told I could make customers and employees feel frightened.
I worry that people look at my scars and think that I’m a violent person, or someone who is looking for a fight. I don’t want to come across as a “bad boy” because I have scars that were obtained through no fault of my own, but unfortunately, scars are represented this way in TV and film. Villains are often portrayed with scars and there is little representation of good characters with scarring. I believe these negative stereotypes cause people to stare at me in public, wondering what sort of person I am, when I’m a genuine, loving lad that can’t help his scars.
Since my appointment, I’ve felt like my life has begun again. I’ve found a new meaning and new confidence.
Over the past few months my confidence has been knocked drastically. It was knocked and knocked until I couldn’t go out in public. I would hide behind closed doors, or try to hide my face as much as possible when out and about because I was so worried about being judged. For months I found it hard to look in the mirror or have photos taken – I couldn’t even look at my reflection.
I knew that I couldn’t go on trying to ignore my scars. It was having too much of an effect on my life and my mental health, but I wasn’t sure what to do.
That all changed when I was watching an episode of Emmerdale that followed a story of a character struggling with their scars after being involved with a fire. After the episode, a message to viewers advising them to seek help from Changing Faces if they had experienced similar emotions to the character in the episode. That’s when I made the call and asked for help.
I was referred to their skin camouflage team, who were kind and supportive straight away. I was taught how to apply the skin camouflage products to my face and arms to reduce the appearance of my scars. It worked wonders!
Since the moment I walked into the treatment room and explained my experiences, the team have been supportive, respectful and kind. They’ve given me my confidence back and my mental health has improved drastically – just like that!
Without Changing Faces, I don’t think I’d be here today. Now, I can walk around without the worry of feeling judged for my appearance. I don’t have constant reminders of the trauma that lead to my scars. Quite simply, I feel I owe my life to Changing Faces.
If anyone is struggling with their skin, scars or the way they look, these are your people! Anyone scared to approach Changing Faces, or anyone who thinks that their difference isn’t worthy or “big enough” to get help, please don’t be scared to seek support. If your visible difference is having that much of an effect on your life, they will be there to help you, no matter how big or small it is.
Since my appointment, I’ve felt like my life has begun again. I’ve found a new meaning and new confidence. I now look at my scars in a different way, too. They’ve made me who I am and I’m a better and stronger person because of it.
