​I’m sharing my story because our relationship with our skin is rarely a straight line. For me, it has been a lifelong journey of navigating the space between deep confidence and quiet vulnerability, a perspective that has ultimately shaped who I am, both personally and professionally.

​I was born with a port wine stain birthmark that covers roughly 80% of my body, including my neck, full back, chest, legs, and both arms. Because of its extent, my medical journey started early. When I was just six months old, I commenced laser treatments every three months at Leeds General Infirmary, a routine that continued consistently until I was about 11 years old.

​Throughout my life, I have experienced health issues, both directly related to my birthmark and entirely separate from it. Because of this, hospitals and treatment rooms became a regular part of my routine.

​Yet, looking back, that environment brought its own kind of comfort. My parents were my anchors, showing immense dedication by taking me to those appointments & demonstrated great stength throughout. During those intense years of treatment, the doctors and nurses who cared for me became almost like family friends. Though I made the decision to stop my birthmark treatments when I was 11, my journey with healthcare didn’t end there; I have continued to navigate other distinct health needs well into adulthood.
​Growing up, school wasn’t always easy. I experienced bullying because of my appearance. However, my parents raised me to look at my birthmark differently, they taught me to be proud of it and to see it as something unique and special & this has carried through to my children.

​Despite having a strong mindset instilled by my family, the reality of living with a prominent birthmark and a complex medical history means my feelings have often been “in-between.”
​I know exactly what it feels like to have periods of life where I am confident, where my birthmark doesn’t bother me much and I feel entirely comfortable in my skin. But I also know the flip side. I still experience times when insecurity creeps in, fluctuating based on different life factors. Because I regularly navigate both sides of this coin, I believe I have a perspective that could support others. I truly understand how these challenges can impact someone negatively, but also how they can be a source of positive growth. I tread that line every day.

​Even the most strong-minded among us need a village & I want to be a part of building that village for others.
​As I’ve grown older, my perspective has expanded through the eyes of my two children, who are now 10 and 7 years old. As a child, I was not really aware of how my birthmark and health impacted my parents because of their strength. Now, as a mother, I see how it ripples into my children’s lives. I want to show them and others,that there is a vast, beautiful community of people with similar experiences, and that challenges assosiated with having a birthmark do not define your worth.
​My journey also profoundly guided my career choice: I am a professional Social Worker. I chose this path because of my own history; experiencing vulnerability, hospitals, and needing a support system as a child sparked a lifelong desire to protect and empower others.
​Today, I am in a place in my life where I am ready to give back. I want to use both my personal lived experiences and my professional expertise to help others secure the support, advocacy, and resources they need.

​I am incredibly excited to connect with this charity, contributing to developing both the children’s and more adults’ provision. Birthmarks and chronic health paths affect us at every stage of development, and I am eager to offer a wider net of support to adults navigating these lifelong feelings, too. I look forward to bringing my knowledge, my empathy, and my history to this community, and hope to inspire, support, and help change lives for the better.