Barrow teenager’s 14 terrifying years nearly over
Last updated at 09:56, Saturday, 01 September 2012
A BRAVE teenager is preparing for her final operation after 14 years of procedures to repair her face following a dog attack.
Hannah Torkington, 17, was bitten by a poodle when she was three, leaving her requiring emergency surgery to repair her cheek.
The dog was later destroyed after it went on to attack another child and Miss Torkington has since endured 14 years of operations to minimise the large scar across her cheek.
As a teenager, Miss Torkington has had five cosmetic operations, all completed under local anaesthetic while she is awake.
But now she hopes the end is in sight as she prepares for what she has been told will be her last operation. Doctors are confident the procedure will make her scar fainter, thinner and flatter.
Miss Torkington, of Roose Road, Barrow, described the operations she has endured so far as “absolutely terrifying”.
“Last time, even though they tried to numb my face, I could still feel everything but I was so scared and in so much pain that I couldn’t tell them to stop,” she recalled.
Not only has the brave teen gone though the physical pain of her seemingly endless operations but she has also suffered mentally at the hands of her peers.
She said: “The bullies were horrible and because of them I have no self confidence and when I was younger I had to change schools just to escape their nasty comments.
“After all the years of bullying, I’m glad that I’m finally near the end. After my op there will be no more hiding my face in photographs or shying away from the camera.”
Miss Torkington was keen to thank her family and friends for helping her to get through the past 14 years.
“I know they will be there for me when I walk though the doors for my last op in December,” she said.
Miss Torkington also passed on a poignant message to anyone else affected by scars.
She said: “Never be ashamed of a scar, it just shows you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.”
First published at 16:31, Friday, 31 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
I read this and had to comment she is one beutiful young lady ..Bullying is always horriable and cowardly my daughter was also bullied and we had to change schools with her ..This young girl is a credit to all who have scars she has come forward and shown her courage lots of people close confidance .I think she should be rewarded i do hope she goes on to help others come to terms with difigurement due to accident or from birth ..I think she would give hope to hundrends . A real inspiration to all with facial problems ..A true face for cumbria.
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Your determination and positive attitude is much to your credit Hannah and your experiences seem to have made you mentally stronger than most. You are nearly at the end of your journey and it's plain to see you are an intelligent and bonny girl with much to look forward to in life together with your enviable network of family and friends.
Posted by Old John on 3 September 2012 at 11:52