Changing Faces » Your Stories

Ella’s fundraising story: Coast to Coast Challenge

08 Jul 2020

I’m Ella, one of Changing Faces’ volunteer campaigners.

My dad is one of my biggest supporters so it is a real honour to be able to help him take on this challenge.

(more…)

Stephanie’s story: ‘It’s no fun trying to be someone else’

08 Jul 2020

Stephanie had her left eye removed as a child due to a tumour.

Now when people make comments about the way I look, I walk away. I don’t feel I need to explain myself anymore.

(more…)

AJ’s story: ‘Be confident, be proud and smile like you mean it’

01 Jul 2020

AJ has a port wine stain birthmark on the right side of his face.

After I got help with my anxiety and depression, that’s when I looked at things completely differently. You are in control of how you respond to a question or statement. That thing that puts you in the driving seat is confidence.

(more…)

11+

Vitiligo Awareness Month: Natalie’s story

24 Jun 2020

Since 2011, the vitiligo community has been joining together globally to celebrate Vitiligo Awareness Month which aims to re-emphasise the importance of raising awareness and educate others about the challenges often faced by those with a visible difference.

Having vitiligo has made me stronger. It’s made me more resilient and has allowed me to be more compassionate towards others with a visible difference.

(more…)

Lindsay’s story: ‘We’re all the same’

17 Jun 2020

Lindsay’s father has a vascular anomaly which affects the right side of his head, face, eye, and mouth.

I want to show people that there’s nothing wrong with looking different so that public perceptions of my dad and other people with visible differences can change.

(more…)

Graham’s story: ‘There is support available’

03 Jun 2020

My name is Graham. I am 71 and was born with a port wine birthmark which covers the right-hand side of my face. Photo of Graham who has a port wine birthmark

Though I still have many low moments, I try hard to live my life as best I can with the support of my loved ones.

(more…)

George’s story: ‘We are all the same’

03 Jun 2020

My name is George. I am 47 years old and I have a very rare skin cancer called Ferguson-Smith syndrome, which causes skin tumours.

Image of George

We are all the same, and I just want to be accepted for me, not the way I look.

(more…)

Bronwen’s story: ‘It is okay to look different’

06 May 2020

My name is Bronwen and I have a bilateral cleft lip and palate and amniotic band syndrome which affects my left hand and my right foot.

I was finally able to meet people who understood me, and I realised I was not alone. I was part of an amazing community of people who are all unique and special in their own way.

(more…)

Robin’s story: ‘Beth has not been defined by her birthmark’

28 Apr 2020

Photo of Robin and his daughter Beth. Robin’s daughter Beth was born with a strawberry birthmark or hemangioma.

Beth has not been defined by her birthmark and I could not be prouder of her.

(more…)

15+

Kirpal’s story: ‘What makes you different, makes you beautiful’

14 Apr 2020

Kirpal has vitiligo, a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. A photo of Kirpal, who has a skin condition called vitiligo

For the first time, I had spoken up about my anxiety and was pleasantly surprised to receive kindness, empathy and support from my peers.

(more…)

Your Stories

You can share your story here.