Re: holding scar removing business to their word

I have scars on my body and my face.  I have had some of my scars reduced - surgically.  That is the only way that I am aware of to REDUCE scars through intervention.  My scars have gotten smaller also with time.  Granted, I notice my scars everyday.  One of them is down the center of my nose - from the bridge to the tip.  I also have one that goes from my bottom lip down my chin and jaw.  I had very good reconstructive surgeons, so my scars are not that noticable to other people.  My left leg also has some substantial scarring, as does my right hand. 

My scars have not reduced my self esteem.  I admit, I would rather not have them - but since I do have them - I sometimes have fun with them.  You see, people in this world react to my scars in different ways.  Some people are compassionate and caring.  Some people are rude and invasive and have no tact.  The rude ones are the ones I have fun with. 

When I'm in a bathingsuit, they are more likely to appear.  When they come along and ask in an elevated tone: "Oh my God!  What happened to you???" I make up stories.  I've become an awesome actress.  Some of the stories have been:

• I used to be a professional surfer.  In a competition in Hawaii, I was attacked by a Great White Shark.  You should see my board...
• I had an accident at a manufacturing job.
• I fall down a lot.
• and my favorite:  When I was a child, my father was very abusive. (He hates it when I say that)

That last one usually shuts them up.

I also like to think of my scars as tougher tattoos.  I do not have any tattoos and I would never have the guts to get one anyway.  For people who get tattoos to look cool or tough - I always look cooler and tougher.  What do your tattoos really show about you?  That you can elect to feel some pain and you're in control of how much???  My scars say that I am a survivor.  I went through the pain and suffering and although I didn't choose to have these marks on my body, they do remind me of how far I have come.  They actually make me feel good about myself.

My point is: my scars do not make me feel bad.  I accept them.  I'm really not a bad looking girl.  The scars make me more interesting.  I came up with that one on my own.  No one told me to feel that way. 

You can focus on things that you really can't do anything about - or you can focus on something that doesn't make you sad.  I choose to focus on the good that I see.  I choose to make something good when I can.  Most people don't really see my scars... most people can see so much more than that.

Roberta