Real stories

Read or listen to real stories from people affected by visible difference, their parents and families, as well as Changing Faces staff and volunteers. Inspired to share your story? We’d love to hear it – share your story now.

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Romeo is a black man with burns scarring on his chest and neck. He stands beside a pool wearing swim shorts and sunglasses, accepting his body as a man with scars.

Reclaiming summer: Accepting my body as a man with scars

19 June 2025

As Romeo’s friends went shirtless in the summer months, he stayed covered. Accepting his body as a man with scars was hard until he began to work with it rather than against it.

Oliver Bromley has NF1. He stands smiling at the camera wearing a dark blue blazer and light blue shirt.

Oliver Bromley: Tackling discrimination in hospitality venues

16 June 2025

Oliver Bromley and others in the visible difference community have experienced discrimination in hospitality venues. With allyship and better education, we can put a stop to it.

Enjoying summer with a visible difference

11 June 2025

For years, Katie hid her scoliosis under heavy clothes, even in hot weather. Enjoying summer with a visible difference was hard, until she decided to put her own comfort first.

Sofia was born with a cleft lip and palate. She smiles as she takes a selfie. Her hair is dark brown and long.

Sofia’s story: “I don’t hide that I was born with a cleft lip”

10 June 2025

Sofia was born with a cleft lip and palate, but it wasn’t something her family spoke to her about. She now wants to tell her story on her own terms, embracing who she is.

Crystal is a black woman with facial scarring. She smiles at the camera framing her face with her hands. This is the hero image for the 'empowerment through embracing your scars' blog.

Empowerment through embracing your scars

9 June 2025

Crystal acquired a scar on her stomach during cancer treatment, which she’s been afraid to show. A recent gym experience has enabled her to find empowerment through embracing her scars.

Gillian is a black woman who has Parry-Romberg Syndrome. She smiles at the camera wearing red lipstick. Gillian wears an off the shoulder outfit with a dot pattern.

Gillian’s story: “My journey with Parry-Romberg Syndrome”

5 June 2025

While it took Gillian 17 years to discover she has Parry-Romberg Syndrome, she has spent that time learning to love the way she stands out.

Building confidence after acquiring a scar hero image. A head and shoulder photo of David. He smiles at the camera. David has scarring on his nose and forehead, and is wearing a yellow jumper.

David’s story: “Building confidence after acquiring a scar”

3 June 2025

David’s scar developed seemingly out of nowhere, making building confidence after acquiring his scar challenging. But he’s not letting this dull his personality.

Rob has facial scarring. He is pictured on a red background wearing a red textured coat. His hand is on his chest and his nails are painted with multicoloured dots. This is the hero image for Rob's blog about being a LGBTQIA+ person with a visible difference.

Pride: Growing up as an LGBTQIA+ person with a visible difference

1 June 2025

Rob talks about the challenges that come from being an LGBTQIA+ person with a visible difference, but also the joy he’s found in his uniqueness.

Kate’s Story: “How the Changing Faces Workshop for Parents Helps Families Feel Seen, Supported, and Empowered.”

27 May 2025

Campaigner Kate reflects on her experience of being a speaker at a Changing Faces workshop for parents and carers, and how it’s a powerful step toward building understanding and confidence.