Walking The Ramp With Scars

Living with scars is difficult, walking a ramp with them feels impossible. Yet, a few dare.

A large auditorium was filled with sceptics, learners, critics, influencers, sympathizers and casual observers. Suddenly, the sound of breaking glass shattered the air. Darkness fell. Silence followed.

In dim light, a lone figure walked the ramp. A feminine voice spoke: “Scars show pain and suffering, some pages turned, some bridges burnt and lessons learnt – beautiful in a way. They show what you have been through and how strong you are for surviving.

As the light slowly revealed her face, the audience saw the scars of an acid attack. She briefly shared her story and concluded: “My scars are beautiful as I see them as a glorious reminder of my will to survive. They are part of my history – and will always remain.”

As she turned back, the hall remained silent until a voice broke through: “We love you beti.” It was her mother. The audience rose in a standing ovation that continued long after she left the stage.

The lights dimmed again. The sound of crutches followed. A voice over announced: “Out of suffering emerge the strongest souls. Our next brave heart survived severe injuries and choose to live an inspiring life.” As the lights brightened, a war veteran stood in uniform. He spoke of Kargil – declared dead once, surviving with one leg amputated and forty splinters in his body.

His final words echoed: “There is something beautiful about scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed – done with. Every scar reminds me that I stood my ground. Jeena to usi ka naam hai jo marna watan pe jane.” Salutes rose. Applause followed. Aye Watan Aye Watan Humko Teri Kasam Teri Raho Pe Jaan Tak Loota Jayenge-  played softly in the background.

One more darkness. A women walked holding a child in hand. The voice over said: “a child gives birth to a mother. Some scars tell stories of life refusing to break.”

On reaching center stage this mother spoke of pregnancy scars – natural ones - and of deeper wounds giving birth to a girl child. She spoke of her:  Abandonment – Struggle – Survival. Tears filled the hall. Holding her child close she said: “Today I am grateful to every scar, between tragedy and joy, I learned that nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through tears.” They exited to another standing ovation.

A microphone now stood alone on stage on it a dangling board read: Scars in the Audience.

No one walked forward. A voice said. “Those who walked the ramp turned their scars into wisdom, their struggles into strength and still continued to find beauty in the world around them. It then shared a psychological experiment “Scar Experiment” by Professor Kleck (1980). Participants had to make social interactions with strangers. The participants who believed they had a scar on them reported feelings of being judged and avoided. Awkward behavior and avoidance by others because they had a scar. The makeup artist did put up a scar showed them, but in the final touch up discreetly removed them. The scar was never there – only belief.

Often, knowingly or unknowingly, we create scars through words and actions. Each carries a scar of their own. Invisible scars live in all of us. Each person feels differently. Each carry scars of their own.

Do not be a scar giver. And if you live with scars – walk the ramp like them, and be worthy of life.