In this episode of The Scars, Joanne shares her story.

She's undergone multiple surgeries to work on the appearance of her cleft nose.

Joanne shares her experiences with bullying, the impact of social media, and her evolving relationship with her scars.

She's also found a purpose through education to change the way other people see those with a visible difference in the media.

Through her journey, she learns to embrace her visible differences and finds confidence in her identity, ultimately redefining her perception of beauty and self-worth.

*Warning Joanne talks in detail about major facial surgery*

Scars can be a powerful reminder of personal journeys.

Surgeries can impact self-image and identity significantly.

Bullying can have lasting effects on confidence and mental health.

Social media can amplify feelings of insecurity and vulnerability.

Community support is crucial in navigating challenges related to visible differences.

Beauty standards can be restrictive and harmful.

Finding pride in one's scars can lead to empowerment.

Education and representation in media can help normalise visible differences.

It's important to prioritise self-worth over societal expectations.

Learning to love the way you look can take time

1:03 What a cleft nose actually is

4:09 The rib-graft surgery explained

7:36 High-school bullying & anxiety

17:14 Choosing no more surgery

23:52 Joanne’s master’s research on representation

25:41 Final message: appearances aren’t everything

• Changing Faces – UK charity for visible difference

• NHS page on cleft conditions

Joanne is _joannabelle  on IG

The Scars is a space for conversations about resilience, acceptance, and overcoming life’s obstacles. The show aims to empower listeners to find strength and beauty in their differences while building a supportive and understanding community.

If you want to share the story of your scars you can contact me at [email protected]  

The Scars podcast is also on Instagram come find me there.

For support there are lots of organisations out there including The Scar Free Foundation https://scarfree.org.uk/ and Changing Faces https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/

Sound design by my hugely talented friend Micky Curling and my beautiful illustrations are by Nichola Cowdery

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary’s scars story only began a few years ago. After a tumour led to major facial surgery and PTSD, his physical and emotional identity changed drastically.

Once active and confident, he struggled with the simplist of things like eating out.

Yet, with therapy, love from his wife and sons, and new roles as granddad and volunteer, Gary found a renewed sense of purpose.

His passion for photography offers a therapeutic escape and anonymity. For Gary, scars aren't just reminders of pain, they’re daily medals of survival.

**Warning in this episode we talk about surgeries, PTSD and mental health**

Takeaways

The psychological impact of physical scars can be profound.

Support from loved ones is crucial during tough times.

Acceptance of one's appearance can be a long journey.

Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and connection.

Public spaces can become daunting for those with visible scars.

Coping mechanisms are essential for managing PTSD.

Scars can symbolise bravery and resilience.

Kindness towards others can make a significant difference.

Chapters

01:35 Gary's Background and Life Before Scars

03:03 The Tumor Diagnosis and Initial Surgery

04:50 Post-Surgery Challenges and Radiotherapy Effects

06:32 Psychological Impact of Scars

09:37 Coping Mechanisms and Social Anxiety

11:08 Family Dynamics and Support

12:54 Acceptance and Resilience

13:47 Turning Points in Gary's Journey

15:00 Finding Purpose Through Volunteering

18:01 Lessons Learned from Scars

21:30 A Message of Kindness and Understanding

About The Scars

The Scars is a space for conversations about resilience, acceptance, and overcoming life’s obstacles. The show aims to empower listeners to find strength and beauty in their differences while building a supportive and understanding community.

If you want to share the story of your scars you can contact me at [email protected]  

The Scars podcast is also on Instagram come find me there.

For support there are lots of organisations out there including The Scar Free Foundation https://scarfree.org.uk/ and Changing Faces https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/ for help with PTSD try https://www.ptsduk.org/

Sound design by my hugely talented friend Micky Curling and my beautiful illustrations are by Nichola Cowdery

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At just two years old, Mel survived a car fire that took her sister's life and left her with life-changing burns. In this moving episode of The Scars, she reflects on her journey through pain, identity, self-acceptance, and how her scars became not just a part of her, but a source of power. We hear about the reluctant hero who saved her, her parents’ unwavering support, the ignorant stares, the healing humour, and the deep rage she learned to transform. Now a lawyer advocating for marginalised children, Mel is proof that the most powerful light can come from the deepest wounds.

*A warning, we talk about the car fire that injured Mel and in which her sister died, and there is discussion of childhood trauma*

Takeaways

• Mel's journey began with a tragic car fire at age two.
• The impact of her injuries shaped her identity and self-perception.
• Recovery involved extensive medical treatment and surgeries.
• Growing up, Mel faced challenges of acceptance and belonging.
• She learned to cope with societal perceptions and judgments.
• Mental health struggles emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Mel's scars became a part of her story, not just a mark of trauma.
• Her career in law is driven by a desire to help others.
• Mel emphasies the importance of self-acceptance and compassion.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scars

01:09 The Car Fire

05:04 The Aftermath and Recovery

09:50 Growing Up with Scars

15:06 Acceptance and Self-Discovery

22:01 Mental Health and Coping

26:00 Finding Purpose in Law

32:03 Conclusion and Reflections

About The Scars

The Scars is a space for conversations about resilience, acceptance, and overcoming life’s obstacles. The show aims to empower listeners to find strength and beauty in their differences while building a supportive and understanding community.

If you want to share the story of your scars you can contact me at [email protected]  

The Scars podcast is also on Instagram come find me there.

You can connect with Mel on Instagram or on Linkedin

For support there are lots of organisations out there including The Scar Free Foundation https://scarfree.org.uk/ and Changing Faces https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/

Sound design by my hugely talented friend Micky Curling and my beautiful illustrations are by Nichola Cowdery

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tatyana was just eight years old when a fire accident changed her life forever.

In this episode, she shares her raw and honest journey, from the moment she realised she was on fire to waking up in the hospital, wrapped in bandages, struggling to recognize herself.

She speaks about the deep emotional toll, the impact on her family, and the years of self-doubt and bullying. But she also reflects on resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of community. Through friendships, advocacy, and support from fellow burn survivors, Tatyana has found strength, proving that life doesn’t end with scars, it begins anew.

**Warning this episode by it's very nature, discusses accidents, burns and recovery detail**

Takeaways

• Tatyana's accident at a young age changed her life forever.
• The impact of scars on self-identity can be profound.
• Support from family and friends is crucial in healing.
• Experiences of bullying can exacerbate feelings of insecurity.
• Burns survivor camps provide a safe space for those with scars.
• Mental health struggles are common among those with visible scars.
• Finding beauty and strength in scars is a journey.
• It's important to share experiences and support one another.
• Life continues beyond the scars, and new beginnings are possible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scars and Stories

02:59 Tatyana's Life-Changing Accident

08:12 The Impact of Scars on Identity

13:19 Navigating Relationships and Support

19:21 Experiences of Bullying and Acceptance

22:22 The Importance of Community and Camps

26:05 Mental Health and Resilience

27:23 Finding Meaning in Scars

About The Scars

The Scars is a space for conversations about resilience, acceptance, and overcoming life’s obstacles. The show aims to empower listeners to find strength and beauty in their differences while building a supportive and understanding community.

If you want to share the story of your scars you can contact me at [email protected]  

The Scars podcast is also on Instagram come find me there.

You can find Tatyana here https://www.instagram.com/diary_to_25 

For support there are lots of organisations out there including The Scar Free Foundation https://scarfree.org.uk/ and Changing Faces https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/

Sound design by my talented friend Micky Curling and my beautiful illustrations are by Nichola Cowdery

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

**Warning this episode by it's very nature, discusses operations, recovery and wounds in graphic detail, there may be a few swears in there too so I'm marking it explicit**

In the first episode, Suzi invites cancer survivor Dan to tell his story: a life-altering diagnosis, surgery, and the physical and emotional challenges of recovery. They discuss the resilience required to embrace scars, and the importance of hope, humour and support along the way. Dan also reads a letter he has written - especially for this podcast - to his scars.

Takeaways

00:00 Introduction to Scars and Stories

01:40 Dan's Tumor Diagnosis and Initial Reactions

04:59 The Surgery and Its Aftermath

10:12 The Journey of Recovery and Acceptance

16:20 Finding Humor in the Healing Process

19:51 The Impact of Scars on Relationships

24:54 Transforming Scars into Symbols of Hope

27:50 Advice for Others Facing Similar Challenges

28:08 Conclusion and Reflection on Self-Love

About The Scars

The Scars podcast is a space for conversations about resilience, acceptance, and overcoming life’s obstacles. The show aims to empower listeners to find strength and beauty in their differences while building a supportive and understanding community.

If you want to share the story of your scars you can contact me at [email protected]  

The Scars podcast is also on Instagram come find me there.

You can find Dan here: dan_defiantly_disfigured Instagram

For support there are lots of organisations out there including The Scar Free Foundation https://scarfree.org.uk/ and Changing Faces https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/

Sound design by the talented Micky Curling and my beautiful illustrations are by Nichola Cowdery

A transcript of the show is here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.