As those of us who live with a Port Wine Stain will tell you, when you live with a Port Wine Stain you have to come up with ways to make people feel comfortable when seeing it so they won't judge you on the basis of it. However if people feel the need to tease myself or others with a Port Wine Stain, a.k.a. PWS, it is not in our interest to pay much attention to the teasers. We don't want to allow others opinions to get in the way of our feeling free to be ourselves wherever we are. Many of you who don't have a PWS I am sure wouldn't want to always have to look over your shoulder worrying if someone was going to tease you about something that takes time to fix. Speaking of teasing, I would be interested to hear some ways in which those who have a PWS or hemangioma have dealt with teasing over the years. Please share your story with me. I think it is interesting to note that a few of you pointed out that the teasing is what has brought you to the point that you decided to wear skin tone makeup or get treatment for your PWS. I can see why you would feel that way too. I got to thinking about the teasing issue and I found a few sites that I thought may be helpful. They are as follows:
Being Different
Inside Out
Nevus Network
Stigma, Threat, and Social Interactions
Teaching Kids About Hurt
The Emotional Impact Of A Vascular Birthmark
When you are relating to the public at large whether it is in your own community or someplace you traveled to, you need to be prepared to explain to people the story on your Port Wine Stain, also known as a birthmark. I think part of the reason living with a PWS can be challenging is because people want to understand something that they can't make a lot of sense out of. In some cases however, people are just trying to find someone to make fun of. Part of the reason you have people making fun of others is because, as I say elsewhere, they were not taught to treat others kindly. In addition, I think it must be hard for people to look past the birthmark and consider the person himself or herself for who and what he/she is. Given that fact I am surprised, impressed, and happy simultaneously when I find someone with a PWS who has a spouse. I say that because it shows that the partner was able to look past the birthark and at the person inside instead. Looking at a persons personality instead of just a mark on their body is something that shows they are more mature. If you would like to see how someone whose job is very public deals with her Port Wine Stain click here. Here are a couple more stories below, howevery these are of average people. As I find them some will be of people who have had a Straberry Hemangioma and others a Port Wine Stain. I may add them as I find them as well..
Case Studies
Port Wine Stain
Ros Pryor
Hemangioma Case
Because of having a birthmark myself, I can say from experience if one with a birthmark gets a job, the public is reluctant to let them show their skills and abilities. In my case, I am convinced that the birthmark was and continues to be the reason. When people see someone with a birthmark then they immediately assume that there are other things wrong with them as well. For those who find themselves doing this please take it from someone with a Port Wine Stain. Ask them first. Yes some do struggle with other issues, resulting from their PWS, but until they tell you that then it is not fair to the person with the PWS. Even if they do deal with other issues that doesn't necessarily mean they are not able to keep on top of them. In addition those issues my not affect their skills and abilities. Not only does is their a probability that it does not affect their skills and abilities, but it can come off as an insult to the person with the PWS as well.
If you be interested talking with me more about what you have had done regarding your PWS, what to do, or have comments write me. I would especially be interested to hear from those of you have had similar experiences to what I mention here.