I'm new here, not sure how to start but here goes....

[Huggybear123]

I got treated for oil burns to my face a few months ago, I am still going through therapy at present. it's a life changing moment for me. I'm still feeling physically and mentally fragile at the moment but glad that I have good friends and family. They can't help me physically with my problems and they can be overwhelming at times but i'm glad I got them.

[AlwaysSmiling Community Ambassador]

Hi Huggybear123 and welcome! I'm sorry to hear about your burns but I am glad to hear that you have good friends and family to help you through it. I hope this forum helps you too as I'm sure it will!❤

[PB58]

Hello & welcome to our friendly, supportive community!

Just ask if you need any support, we are all here to listen & share our feelings with each other.

[Huggybear123]

It’s been an exhausting time focusing on my therapy as well as my health condition. Keeping the graft and donors moisturised is not easy. I don’t think people realise how difficult it is.

I’m trying to also focus on being grateful that I still have my sight and only one side of my face was burned but that is not easy, especially when you can still see and feel the pain

[AlwaysSmiling Community Ambassador in reply to Huggybear123]

I know how hard it can be to stay focused on the positives but I can tell that you are a strong person that will persevere through anything! I can relate to that feeling of exhaustion too. Trying to cope with these things can be mentally draining but I can tell you now that we will get through it!! If you believe you can, you will! Stay strong💪😊

[Cosmicgirl]

Hello and welcome. Any physical change to the face is always hard. I always say you go through the 5 stages of grief from depression to eventual acceptance. Being surrounded by good friends and family will help as they know you for who you are in your soul not for what's on the outside. Facial changes are extremely overwhelming because you have to literally have to face them every day. You can do this though and being able to talk to other people on here with facial differences will help. It certainly helped me. Stay strong, you got this 😃

[DuneElliot]

Hi Huggybear. I am new also and due to an accident have also been on the receiving end of scars on the right side of my face...and also beyond thankful I didn't lose an eye or slice an artery. I was one of the most confident people you would ever have met (just strong and independent, not arrogant and cocky) and this injury has knocked me for six. Just coming out from underneath the bandages now and entering into the world of camo make-up...which due to the sunken nature of my scarring isn't working so well. Stay strong and sending you "huggybears" back.

[Huggybear123 in reply to DuneElliot]

We should be thankful for still having our sight as many have lost their sight from traumatic events.

I was taking pictures of my face whilst I was in hospital but it’s only when I look at these pictures and look at myself in the mirror now I see a difference. Family, friends and the staff at the hospital see something else each time they see me. I guess if it wasn’t for the hospital staff, I probably would not believe a thing my family and friends said.

@DuneElliot I do hope that you will be able to find a way to manage your trauma. Many that lose their independence tend to fear support from others. Don’t be afraid of support that is out there to “help us and support us”. Don’t be ashamed of it either as it will not make you any less of a person, it only makes you stronger.

[DolaChangingFacesUK]

Hello and welcome to the community Huggybear123! Thank you for sharing your experience and fragility. It's lovely that you have supportive family and friends, and now in this community you've got another set of friends who really understand. You're never alone.