Stare At The Truth

Forgive me for my minor tragedy, but it led me to something greater and therefore qualifies for discussion. I recently burnt my face using a product that clearly did not agree with my skin. After the raw patch tore open on my cheek, I examined it in horror (followed by tears and a tantrum that no grown woman should resort to, and no boyfriend should be subjected to). I had a rather fancy party to attend that evening and with make-up simply not doing enough to cure my mortification, I left my house, head hung in shame and a 'don't socialise with me' bubble surrounding me.

I ended up enjoying myself regardless, yet I will admit it certainly changed my attitude towards the occasion and stumped my social skills. I could not help but feel drowned by my self conscious and excessive awareness of the HUGE infestation that occupied my cheek. It was unmistakable and unmissable.

But the shocker came the following day, when I went to the shops (with NO make-up on, making a rather significant difference) and saw the glares and stares from people. Their horrified faces as their fixed eyes did not blink or part from my face for a second. Not one.

There was NO shame in looking at someone who is different from the norm or who has something 'wrong' with them. For a minute, I truly felt like a black sheep in society. I know I cannot compare myself to those with more permanent disabilities or challenges, but I had to consider them and feel the judgements they are subjected to everyday. It made me enormously sad to know that some people cannot change that feeling. Their 'raw patch' cannot go away or heal. I will go back to being me, and my head will rise again, my social skills will regain confidence. But this silly experience really gave me a greater understanding and sense of empathy for those less fortunate than myself.

I will never look at people who face challenges any differently to people without challenges; be it physical, mental or any other kind. I feel a deeper sense of maturity having gone through this, because I know the feeling of the stares. The stigma attached to being on the outside.

SO next time you glare at that person, who you haven forgotten to treat like one, consider the fact that it could be you. How would you want to be looked at?

That's what I thought.