Lucas's story

Tell us about yourself

Hi, I’m Lucas and I’m 13.  My nose is wider and flatter than most people’s.  It’s something I was born with and the long name for it is frontal-nasal craniofacial dysplasia.  I use this name when I want to confuse people!

I live with my parents and younger brother who is 12.  

We hear you’re into acting?

I’m a member of Urban Young Actors, a professional drama group.  We meet every Saturday.  There’s a lot of improvisation but just recently we put on a musical version of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾.  I played Barry Kent, the school bully.  It was quite strange to play the bully and I only took the part because I knew I wasn’t actually a bully.  

Bell-ringing and sailing are a big part of my life too and I’ve just started snowboarding.  

Best Christmas pressie?

For Christmas, my Dad, my brother and I got a touch screen computer between us.  It’s great because I design my own comics and develop websites.  The house is pretty quiet when we’re on it which is probably quite nice for my Mum.

If you could eat anything?

It would have to be spaghetti Bolognese or pizza.

How would your best friend describe you?

He’d probably say I sound funny and I’m smart – but I’m not certain about that.  

What’s your worst habit?

Not sure so I guess it would have to be indecision.  My Dad would say not doing my homework on time.

Fave song?

I’m practically obsessed with I Got a Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas and I’m into Cheryl Cole too.

What’s school like?

My favourite subjects are English and Design and Technology.  I’m taking my options this year and I think I’d like to do graphics.  I love designing things and when I’m older I’d like to work in advertising.

When did you first realise you looked different to other people?

Well, obviously my parents told me about my condition and I knew I looked different but I didn’t know that other children were going to treat me differently because of it. 

The worst thing was the physical bullying that went on when I was at primary school.  In Year 5, some of the boys who had been my best friends started being mean and punching me.  They held me down with their feet and even tried to punch me in the face.  I was so scared that I ran home.

That’s when we found out about Changing Faces and they really helped.  They trained the teachers at my next school so they knew what to expect .  This meant that they could stop the same thing happening again.  They even got the teachers at my primary school to stop the bullying.

People stare at me every day and most of the time I ignore it.  I’ve got quite a few ways of dealing with it.  At first I just smile back at them.  If they’re still staring, I smile and wave and mouth the word ‘hello’ at them.  This works mostly and makes people feel a bit uncomfortable but if they’re still doing it then I go up to them and tell them not to stare.  

Half the time I completely forget I look different and the staring is annoying because it makes me remember.

It’s ok for people to be curious but I would prefer it if they gave me a smile and were friendly when they first met me.  I don’t mind somebody asking me what happened to my face.  I’ll just explain.

Why did you get involved with the campaign?

I want people to treat anyone with a facial disfigurement equally.  There needs to stop being so much ignorance around the subject.  I also want to stop other children being stared at or bullied.

What’s been the best thing so far?

It’s all been good.  Being shown around DDB, the advertising agency was really good.  Also, having my photo taken and meeting the other children taking part.

What would you like to say to people who might think you’re not going to achieve much because of your appearance?

Think again!  (But not said in a rude way.)

How can people support the campaign?

If you’re a teacher, a lot of the things you think will support another pupil like me actually don’t. So get some advice from Changing Faces.

Read Lucas' amazing speech at a recent Changing Faces event.