In this episode of Life With a Difference, I speak with Amy (@Journey_of_Amy), who lives with severe eczema and is currently going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW).

Amy shares openly about the physical pain, the mental health struggles, and the stigma of living with a visible difference. From being compared to a burns victim at her worst flare, to teaching children that “different is normal,” Amy’s honesty shines a light on what it’s really like to live with eczema on the extreme side of the spectrum.

We discuss:
 • What TSW (Topical Steroid Withdrawal) actually is
 • The devastating physical symptoms: swelling, redness, bone-deep itch, flaking & peeling
 • The mental toll of eczema and suicidal thoughts that many never talk about
 • Her journey through treatments: methotrexate, dupilumab, Rinvoq, cyclosporine & more
 • Why self-advocacy at dermatology appointments is essential
 • How children and students respond to visible difference in the classroom
 • The role of community and connection in coping with chronic illness
 • Hope for the future with new treatments like lebrikizumab and nemolizumab

Amy also talks about her work as a teacher, her growing advocacy on Instagram, and why she feels it’s her mission to raise awareness and help others feel less alone.

💬 Have you experienced eczema or TSW? Share your story in the comments — your voice matters.

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more honest conversations with patients, carers, and advocates.

#Eczema #TopicalSteroidWithdrawal #VisibleDifference #TSW #LifeWithADifference #SkinConditions

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

In this very special episode of Life With a Difference, I sit down with my wife, Donna Collinson, to talk openly about what it means to love and care for someone living with a chronic skin condition and visible difference.

Donna shares her perspective as both my partner and my carer, the moments of joy, the exhaustion, the unseen emotional weight, and the resilience it takes to navigate life together when atopic dermatitis (AD) dominates so much of our daily reality.

We cover:
 • How we first met and when Donna noticed my skin condition
 • The hardest flare-ups and their impact on both of us
 • The balance between “cracking on” vs giving in to bad days
 • The hidden mental health toll of atopic dermatitis
 • What carers and partners of people with chronic illness need too
 • The lack of support for carers in the NHS
 • Why open communication and empathy matter in relationships
 • The importance of celebrating the good days


💬 Have you supported a loved one through chronic illness or visible difference? Share your story in the comments.

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more conversations with patients, carers, and advocates.

#LifeWithADifference #VisibleDifference #AtopicDermatitis #ChronicIllness #Carers #SkinConditions

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

n this episode of Life With a Difference, I sit down with Lisa Bickerstaffe, Head of Communications at the British Skin Foundation (BSF). Lisa has been with BSF for over a decade, leading campaigns that raise awareness of skin health, skin disease, and skin cancer while supporting vital dermatology research.

We cover:
 • The mission of the British Skin Foundation and why skin research matters
 • How skin health campaigns have evolved with social media & TikTok trends
 • The impact of sun safety and the award-winning “Burnable Billboard” campaign
 • Psychological effects of living with a skin condition
 • Stigma and discrimination faced by people with visible differences
 • The importance of diverse skin images in healthcare and inclusive dermatology
 • How the public can support BSF’s work and get involved

⸻

Show links:
https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/
https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/which-sunscreen-is-right-for-me

🕒 Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:11 – Who is Lisa Bickerstaffe?
01:00 – How communications at BSF has evolved
02:20 – TikTok skin trends and social media challenges
03:43 – The British Skin Foundation’s mission
06:12 – Covering 2,000+ skin conditions with a small team
07:16 – Working as a team of eight at BSF
08:44 – Collaboration with other skin charities
10:17 – Psychological effects of skin conditions
12:01 – Sun safety & the importance of SPF from childhood
13:33 – Misconceptions about skin cancer
14:37 – Why skin conditions aren’t taken seriously enough
16:21 – Mineral vs chemical sunscreens explained
20:11 – The Burnable Billboard campaign
24:26 – Stigma and discrimination around skin conditions
27:16 – Teaching children about visible difference & kindness
30:52 – Reframe Project: inclusive medical images across skin tones
33:27 – The challenge of diagnosing conditions on darker skin
35:20 – Advocacy and the importance of pushing for referrals
36:28 – How patients can support BSF’s work
37:58 – Services BSF offers to patients & the A–Z of skin
40:26 – Educating children about equality and skin health in schools
43:40 – Upcoming BSF 30th anniversary projects (2026)
44:58 – Building community with patients & advocates
46:08 – Final thoughts: “We’re all united by skin”

⸻

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more conversations with patients, clinicians, and advocates.

#BritishSkinFoundation #Dermatology #SkinHealth #Eczema #SkinCancer #VisibleDifference

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

In this episode of Life With a Difference, I sit down with Jade Arthur to talk about her life growing up with a facial hemangioma which shaped her childhood, confidence, and the way the world saw her.

Jade shares what it was like navigating school, friendships, and those awkward stares from strangers. We talk about the moments that knocked her confidence, the people who lifted her up, and how she’s learned to own her difference as an adult.

#LifeWithADifference #VisibleDifference #Hemangioma #Birthmark #Inspiration #Podcast

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

In this episode of Life With a Difference, I speak with Professor Sara Brown, Grant Chair of Dermatology at the University of Edinburgh and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist with NHS Lothian. Professor Brown is one of the UK’s leading voices in dermatology research, specialising in eczema, skin genetics, and visible difference.

We discuss:
 • Why skin conditions like eczema are so complex
 • The challenges dermatologists face in treatment
 • New biologics and JAK inhibitors for eczema care
 • The role of genetics, including the filaggrin (FLG) gene
 • The stigma patients experience around visible difference
 • How dermatology research is changing patient care

💬 What’s your experience with eczema or visible difference? Share in the comments, I’d love to hear your story.

👉 Subscribe to Life With a Difference for more conversations with patients, clinicians, and advocates.

#Dermatology #Eczema #VisibleDifference #SkinHealth #LifeWithADifference

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

00:00 – Introduction  
02:05 – Who is Professor Sara Brown?  
04:59 – Why dermatology matters  
07:46 – Is dermatology taken seriously enough?  
10:44 – Why is eczema so difficult to treat?  
15:19 – The FLG gene and skin barrier research  
20:11 – New eczema treatments: biologics & JAK inhibitors  
26:30 – The future of eczema treatment  
33:17 – How doctors and patients make decisions together  
43:01 – Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) explained  
50:19 – GP referrals and long waiting times  
53:32 – Final thoughts & closing

🎙️ That’s a wrap on Season 1!
Huge thank you to all my incredible guests and everyone who’s supported the podcast so far.

Following great advice from Suzi at The Scars, I’ll now be working in shorter, intentional seasons allowing space to reflect, improve, and balance other advocacy projects.

This season opened my eyes even more to the discrimination people with visible differences face, and how damaging comparative suffering can be. I’m proud to be part of a space where empathy and support come first.

Got feedback? I’d love to hear it. See you in Season 2 💛

#VisibleDifference #PatientAdvocacy #PodcastUK #DisabilityAwareness #SeasonFinale #FacialDifference

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

Molly Patch discusses her journey with Alopecia Universalis. Molly shares her candid experiences of losing her hair at 18, navigating societal perceptions, and building confidence. From personal struggles to finding humour and support, this conversation offers an inspiring look at living with a visible difference. Learn how Molly transformed her challenges into strength and became an advocate for self-acceptance.

Key topics:
- Living with alopecia
- Mental health and visible differences
- Building confidence
- Overcoming societal expectations

#VisibleDifference #Alopecia #SelfAcceptance #MentalHealth

Episode links:
https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/mollypatch/
https://www.zbdtalent.com/uk/

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

I speak with Crystal Marshall , an actor, advocate and cancer survivor who lives with a facial difference. Crystal shares her journey of being diagnosed with cancer just days after her 18th birthday, navigating the trauma of facial surgery, and reclaiming her place in the arts industry despite the barriers society tried to place around her.

From being told she’d never act again, to seeing herself represented on a wall she never imagined she’d be on, Crystal’s story is one of strength, self-advocacy, and defying expectations.

We talk about:
 • Her harrowing experience with early surgical consultations
 • The emotional impact of a facial difference
 • Feeling dismissed in healthcare settings
 • The importance of seeing surgeons’ previous work
 • How she found pride, visibility, and purpose through storytelling and representation

This conversation is about more than survival, it’s about ownership, identity, and becoming the role model you once needed.

💬 Let us know what part of Crystal’s story resonated with you most in the comments.

👇 Subscribe and follow for more conversations about living with a visible difference.

#LifeWithADifference #FacialDifference #CancerSurvivor #RepresentationMatters #ChangingFaces #CrystalMarshall #DisabilityAdvocate #FaceEquality #VisibleDifference #PodcastInterview

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

"I will slash your face", "You look like a thug", "you're the ugliest person I've ever seen".

I challenge you to listen to this podcast to understand the reality of blatant discrimination that people with visible differences face in "polite society". Discrimination that involves regular threats of physical violence, denial of access to job roles and a dismissive/uncaring attitude by those in a position of power.

Introducing my good friend Dan Elston from @amanandhisface, someone still coming to terms with the trauma of a life of stigmatisation and unjust treatment. Who is now using his lived experience to affect positive change for the visible difference community.

Do you really care about people facing inequality or do you just jump on the bandwagon?

Be one of the people who did what was right BEFORE it becomes trendy.

Episode links:
 @AManAndHisFace  
https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/
https://www.myface.org/

#FacialDifference #DanElston #AManAndHisFace #LifeWithADifference #VisibleDifferencePodcast #DisfigurementAwareness #ScarStories #ChallengingStigma #ResilienceInAdversity

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

Joti Gata-Aura: Vitiligo, Identity, and Advocacy | Life With a Difference Podcast

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Joti Gata-Aura shares her journey of living with vitiligo a visible skin difference that changed not only how others saw her, but how she saw herself. From navigating shame, secrecy, and cultural stigma to finding her voice as an advocate and educator, Joti’s story is one of resilience, acceptance, and empowerment.

Joti opens up about her early years of hiding her skin with long sleeves and makeup, including on her wedding day, and the emotional toll of not feeling seen even by her own community. She speaks candidly about losing her sense of identity as a South Asian woman and mother, the painful assumptions from strangers, and the challenges of teaching with a visible difference. But through it all, she discovered the power of being honest, visible, and vulnerable — not just for herself, but for her students and anyone feeling isolated by their difference.

We also explore treatments for vitiligo, the importance of setting boundaries in advocacy, and how Joti’s role as a teacher has become a platform for positive change.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone living with a visible difference, caring for someone who is, or wanting to understand the deeper impact of how skin and identity are intertwined.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and share — because stories like Joti’s help shape a more understanding world.

⸻

Topics covered:
 • Living with vitiligo and South Asian identity
 • Hiding visible difference in the workplace and at her wedding
 • Raising children when you no longer resemble them physically
 • Experiences of stigma, stares, and assumptions
 • Why Joti chose advocacy, and how it changed her life
 • The role of teachers in creating inclusive classrooms
 • Vitiligo treatments and the emotional impact of seeking a “cure”
 • Setting boundaries in public storytelling

⸻

🔗 Connect with Joti:
Instagram: @positivelydiverse
Website: positivelydiverse.co.uk
Vitiligo Society: https://vitiligosociety.org/

⸻

#VitiligoAwareness #VisibleDifference #LifeWithADifference #JotiGataAura #SouthAsianVoices #SkinPositivity #BodyImage #TeacherAdvocate #DisabilityInclusion #FaceEquality #ChangingFaces #ChronicIllness #DiversityAndInclusion #VitiligoSupport #SkinConditions

Social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithadifferencepodcast/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithadifference
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-collinson/

Please get in touch if I can help in any way

Blog:
https://www.lifewithadifference.info/

buymeacoffee.com/lifewithadifference

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
03:28 Understanding Vitiligo and Its Impact
05:37 Cultural Perspectives on Skin Differences
08:34 Navigating Identity and Belonging
11:28 Challenges in the South Asian Community
14:36 Experiences of Stigma and Advocacy
17:17 Confronting Prejudice and Personal Growth
28:59 Navigating Social Perceptions and Sensitivities
30:57 Current Treatments for Vitiligo
33:11 The Journey of Seeking Treatment
36:54 The Emotional Toll of Treatment Failures
39:55 Anxiety and Self-Image on Special Occasions
45:21 Teaching with a Visible Difference
48:40 Advocacy and Representation in Media
52:55 Setting Boundaries in Advocacy
54:40 Support and Community for Visible Differences
55:51 A Vision for Equality and Acceptance