Tatyana was just eight years old when a fire accident changed her life forever.

In this episode, she shares her raw and honest journey, from the moment she realised she was on fire to waking up in the hospital, wrapped in bandages, struggling to recognize herself.

She speaks about the deep emotional toll, the impact on her family, and the years of self-doubt and bullying. But she also reflects on resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of community. Through friendships, advocacy, and support from fellow burn survivors, Tatyana has found strength, proving that life doesn’t end with scars, it begins anew.

**Warning this episode by it's very nature, discusses accidents, burns and recovery detail**

Takeaways

• Tatyana's accident at a young age changed her life forever.
• The impact of scars on self-identity can be profound.
• Support from family and friends is crucial in healing.
• Experiences of bullying can exacerbate feelings of insecurity.
• Burns survivor camps provide a safe space for those with scars.
• Mental health struggles are common among those with visible scars.
• Finding beauty and strength in scars is a journey.
• It's important to share experiences and support one another.
• Life continues beyond the scars, and new beginnings are possible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scars and Stories

02:59 Tatyana's Life-Changing Accident

08:12 The Impact of Scars on Identity

13:19 Navigating Relationships and Support

19:21 Experiences of Bullying and Acceptance

22:22 The Importance of Community and Camps

26:05 Mental Health and Resilience

27:23 Finding Meaning in Scars

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.

You can find Tatyana here https://www.instagram.com/diary_to_25 

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/

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

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