lunchbox3

I have a terrible confession that I feel could fit here. When I was about 12 I ripped the tendons in my hand. I was (and still am) incredibly squeamish. I was waiting on my own in the medical bay, trying not to faint (it didn't even hurt that much but the idea of it made me very woozy- pathetic I know!) Well in comes the nurse to put my bandage/cast thing on. He rolls up his sleeve and I notice that he is missing three fingers and had one he didn't have control over. Unfortunately noticing that coincided with me losing the battle for consciousness and I fainted and fell off my chair. I felt so so awful. I hadn't told anyone I felt faint before this so this guy clearly just thought I saw his hand and passed out! When I came around I had a different nurse... I was really embarrassed and didn't explain to anyone what had happened. I have always hoped he didn't take it personally and guessed it was a coincidence but who knows!

I’m so with you on this. I don’t want to downplay OPs suffering at all - puberty at 5 sounds horrifying, knowing you have a genetic condition but everyone ignoring it sounds super traumatising and kids are assholes who don’t know what they are talking about and say weird shit. But the bone structure and spots look unusual but not in any way shocking or bad! The comments were probably exacerbated because of the other stuff though. I have a birth mark on my leg which some kids called “shit stain” and I definitely had the odd comment about my looks (which frankly I think are fine but they clearly didn’t 😂) like a teenage boy said I was a “paper bag job”. But because I was in a very secure environment and didn’t have other shit going on the comments hurt at the time but I didn’t change my behaviour or stop wearing shorts. And I can ASSURE you that no adult has ever said anything rude about my birthmark (or face). If they did it would be their problem.

OP you have the right to be confident and free - I know it will be a hard journey but an internet stranger wishes you all the luck in the world on the journey

Haha thanks! I have fainted so many times at bad moments as a child! Pretty sure I'm over it now though so won't be able to provide the personal victory!

Hey, you have probably done this, but cut your nails really short and smooth them with a file. Try and hold something when you are zoning out, like a puzzle cube/ something that moves/ something that gives sensation. I think that they use this technique to get people to stop pulling their hair out and stuff. Good luck!