"My master’s course has brought me challenge and joy, friendship and hope, and community and restoration, at a time when I needed it most." A huge congratulations to our campaigner, Mel, who has recently achieved a Master's in Law. While university had its challenges, Mel wants to encourage others with a visible difference to follow their dreams. Her story: "When I was two years old, I was involved in a car fire which left me with severe burns. I’ve really struggled this year with PTSD from my accident, which can be triggered by seeing my own visible differences in the mirror and people’s reactions to me. "This year, I balanced mental health struggles alongside my busy schedule. For me, people always appreciated the physical struggle, but the toll that facial difference takes mentally is poorly understood. "People who know me well tell me they don’t notice my scars, and I love that, I love the freedom to be truly seen by those I socialise with. But that’s not true of everyone and sometimes my scars are all that people see. "I wondered at one point if I could manage to keep going with my master’s, but I’m so glad that I got help, took time when I needed it and spoke to my tutors when things were hard. "Visible difference and associated mental health challenges can be such a different type of problem - outside of the everyday understanding that most people have about disability or difficulties. "When people care enough to find out what your issues are, believe what you are telling them and put supports in place, it is amazing the power that can instil in your life. "Writing my dissertation on discrimination law and facial difference has brought together all aspects of my life into one thesis. It opened an avenue of study that I hope to continue – to be a voice, to support a cause and most importantly to step into what I believe to be a purpose that can transform my accident into something I can use to help others like me." #LinkInBio to read more. #Graduation #UlsterUniversity #LawDegree #Masters #Scars #ScarAppreciation #VisibleDifference