When you tell people that you have had 15 surgeries from a brain tumour, a punctured intestine, an obstructed bowel, a cyst in my brain and a condition called hydrocephalus, people respond in a number of ways: shock, sadness, sympathy, empathy but mostly – kindness.
When I take off my top, it’s often the opposite.
First there is shock, because despite me sharing my story, most people do not equate surgeries with surgery scars.
Despite warning them about my medical trauma, they don’t expect the scars that come with it.
Then, there is a whole range of reactions: confusion, pity and even sometimes disgust.
Last summer, I wore a bikini for the first time and shared my story, posting a blog on Instagram titled ‘People with Scars Can’t Wear Bikinis’.