Feeling positive and empowered

Living confidently with a disfigurement requires resilience and a positive attitude. Many people tell us that they feel empowered by their life experience. Surviving painful surgery or other medical treatments, periods of hospitalisation, feelings of isolation, managing other people’s reactions, and achieving your personal goals or perhaps exceeding other people’s expectations of you, can all feel very good.

Whether you were born with a disfigurement, or acquired one later on in life, living with an unusual appearance will significantly influence your sense of self and the world around you. For a number of people, their disfigurement positively informs their life. They feel stronger for their experiences, and more consciously aware of the choices they make and direction they take in life – something that many people never achieve.

If you are struggling to cope with your feelings, it can be really helpful to speak with a counsellor. Contact Changing Faces if you want to discuss this option further.

If you are feeling positive and empowered about your experience, you might want to share this with others – offer a positive role model, inspire confidence and hope to those that don't feel as confident at this time.

At Changing Faces we are always looking for individuals and families who would like to share their stories with others. Your experience could help thousands of other people. Find out more.