Gen Z Woman With 'Unusual' Facial Scar on Cruelest Things People Say to Her
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Living with a rare condition that causes visible symptoms can be mentally and physically challenging. Not only that, but people are sometimes subjected to cruel comments about something beyond their control.
Take Kate Bogner, 27, for example. She has a rare autoimmune disease called Linear Scleroderma, which affects about one in every 300,000 Americans, according to the National Scleroderma Foundation.
At age five, she developed the condition, which causes superficial or deep lesions in a band-like pattern on the trunk, limbs, or face—sometimes appearing as a distinct line on the head known as "en coup de sabre," a French term meaning "strike of the sword."
While she went into "spontaneous remission" at 13, the mom-of-one from Calgary, Alberta, was bullied throughout school and has only begun to embrace her scar in recent years.
In an interview with Newsweek, she shared the reason why she will never stop talking about it on Instagram (@naturallyintoxikated).
Two screenshots from the viral video showing Bogner speaking to the camera.
Two screenshots from the viral video showing Bogner speaking to the camera.
Instagram/@naturallyintoxikated
Bogner recently racked up 1.8 million views on just one clip where she shared cruel comments she's received from others about her scar, including "butthead," and hairstyle suggestions intended to cover it.
"I've heard it all," she said, adding that she advocated for herself from a young age and encourages others to do the same.
She told Newsweek: "Being a teenager with a very unusual scar on my face, in high school wasn't easy—let alone in elementary school. Kids can be nasty!"
"However, little did I know that all of this was building my confidence, allowing me to embrace and accept my scar more and more," she said.
After living with the scar since she was five, she learned to embrace it in her early twenties.
"I wasn't going to be ashamed or hide from it. I was going to accept it and choose to inspire other people to be authentically themselves," she shared.
"I was inspired to make this video to show others that although I get bombarded with nasty comments daily, I don't let them affect me. I don't need bangs to be beautiful. I don't have to hide my scar. I am proud of my story and the battle I have overcome!"
"I love my scar, and I am inspiring and teaching others to love theirs. We are all unique, and we must embrace this to be confident!" she added.
Indeed, her message has resonated loudly online—with hundreds of users commenting in support.
"It's interesting how you don't learn or understand until you are older that people who make fun of others are just insecure with themselves," said one user. Another wrote: "Scars make us unique and tell a story of our strength. You are beautiful."
"So proud of your confidence. I have linear morphea scleroderma of the forehead. I cover my forehead. I'm not confident yet," said a third user.
If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do? section.
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