1 in 5
1 in 5 people have a visible difference. ‘A scar, mark or condition on your face or body that makes you look different.’ (Changing Faces) Yet, in 2023 ,49% of people with a visible difference have experienced hostile behaviour - an increase of 15% since 2019. And I’m determined to change that.
I’ve been a campaigner for the charity Changing Faces since 2022 supporting those with visible differences. Through this, I’ve become aware of the scope of visible differences and difficulties people like myself have faced. I'm inspired by the stories I hear of people navigating difficulties, hate and often pain just to live a normal life.
Recently, I’ve been awarded a Churchill Fellowship…
With this, I’ll be able to fulfill a long term dream and goal to create a podcast and documentary sharing the stories and lives of those who have visible differences and battle skin conditions every day.
In 2025, I’ll be travelling to the US to learn from the change makers based there and continue my work in the UK after my fellowship.
Many of the stories of hostility begin at school with bullying. Therefore, I’ll be sharing the podcast and documentary I’ve created with schools across the UK and eventually hope to enact social and policy reform.
If you’d like to share your story with the 1 in 5 project or share your support, please get in touch below and follow @spottylittlething across social media.