Gary’s Story: Psychological Snowballs and a Lasting Love

Gary’s scars story only began a few years ago. After a tumour led to major facial surgery and PTSD, his physical and emotional identity changed drastically.

Once active and confident, he struggled with the simplist of things like eating out.

Yet, with therapy, love from his wife and sons, and new roles as granddad and volunteer, Gary found a renewed sense of purpose.

His passion for photography offers a therapeutic escape and anonymity. For Gary, scars aren't just reminders of pain, they’re daily medals of survival.

**Warning in this episode we talk about surgeries, PTSD and mental health**

Takeaways

The psychological impact of physical scars can be profound.

Support from loved ones is crucial during tough times.

Acceptance of one's appearance can be a long journey.

Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and connection.

Public spaces can become daunting for those with visible scars.

Coping mechanisms are essential for managing PTSD.

Scars can symbolise bravery and resilience.

Kindness towards others can make a significant difference.

Chapters

01:35 Gary's Background and Life Before Scars

03:03 The Tumor Diagnosis and Initial Surgery

04:50 Post-Surgery Challenges and Radiotherapy Effects

06:32 Psychological Impact of Scars

09:37 Coping Mechanisms and Social Anxiety

11:08 Family Dynamics and Support

12:54 Acceptance and Resilience

13:47 Turning Points in Gary's Journey

15:00 Finding Purpose Through Volunteering

18:01 Lessons Learned from Scars

21:30 A Message of Kindness and Understanding

About The Scars

The Scars is a space for conversations about resilience, acceptance, and overcoming life’s obstacles. The show aims to empower listeners to find strength and beauty in their differences while building a supportive and understanding community.

If you want to share the story of your scars you can contact me at suzi@storypublishing.co.uk

The Scars podcast is also on Instagram come find me there.

For support there are lots of organisations out there including The Scar Free Foundation https://scarfree.org.uk/ and Changing Faces https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/ for help with PTSD try https://www.ptsduk.org/

Sound design by my hugely talented friend Micky Curling and my beautiful illustrations are by Nichola Cowdery

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