22-year-old with 'frightening' birthmark fights prejudice to inspire others

For most college goers, turning 21-years-old can mark a milestone in their life and calls for a big celebration. But 22-year-old Rory McGuire, who suffers from a severe facial birthmark, recalls how he wept for two hours when he turned 21, because of the prejudice and bullying he had to face due to his appearance.

Rory who is Scottish, says he has a 'venous malformation' on his upper lip and he had to face 15 operations in over five years to correct it and will still have to go for more procedures before he looks 'normal'.

“On the morning of my 21st, I spent two hours crying because it is seen as a milestone that is normally celebrated in a big way but instead I was upset I was still having to go through prejudice due to looking a little bit different,” McGuire wrote in a Facebook post.

He decided to share his story on the social media platform, hoping that it would benefit those who have had to face a similar ordeal. The brave young man posted his pictures to highlight the prejudice he faced by his peers and others at every step in his life.

“I am making this post because my story may help someone. My name is Rory and I was born with a venous malformation on my upper lip, which is a birthmark caused by abnormally formed veins that can enlarge as your body grows. The pictures here show me and my birthmark at various stages throughout my childhood, and a picture of me now, at 22 years old. There are not many pictures of me as a teenager because I've never been comfortable having my photograph taken, and I still am not.”

Rory shared photos of him from different stages of his life. (Photo: Facebook)

“People call me names, people are wary of me, some people find my appearance frightening, I always feel like the "outsider" and I am not comfortable in most 'everyday' situations - even a visit to the dentist makes me very anxious because I never know how the people in the waiting room are going to react when they see me,” Rory explains.

The young man has gone through phases where he almost felt suicidal and felt that he would be much happier if his life came to an end. He remembers the first time when he was about to undergo an operation, he was happy that something could be done about his condition, but at the same time, there were darker thoughts that plagued his mind.

“I was happy but I also thought that if I died during the operation all of the mental pain I've had to endure would be over, but thankfully I no longer think this way - I just want to be happy,” he says.

After years of constant bullying and mental abuse due to the prejudice he faced, Rory has learnt to see life differently and focus on the brighter side of thing. But he is aware, that not everybody can save themselves from the depression and trauma that social bullying and prejudice can bring with it.

“Nobody should have to endure prejudice...for any reason - I didn't choose to look like this and nobody can choose what they're going to look like when they're born, and those who are born outwith the confines of what is widely regarded to be 'attractive' shouldn't be made fun of or abused because of it. Would you make fun of your own child if he or she was born with something that is seen as an abnormality? No? Then why do it to someone that you don't know?,” he asks.

Rory’s post received a lot of positive response and people from all over the world extended their support to him. His post received 500 shares immediately and soon went viral on the social media.

“Amazing Rory. Proud to be related to such an inspirational person”

“Well done Rory. You have brought tears to my eyes. Very proud of you.

“This is so powerful and inspiring to read. Thanks for sharing this, it's amazing to see people stand up against prejudice. Good luck with your operation I hope everything works out for you. I'm glad you're now in a place where you can help others”

These are just some of the responses he received on his post. The twenty-two year old is overwhelmed with the support he has met and hopes his story inspires more people who are at the receiving end of prejudice for no fault of theirs.