“The creams
we use can
conceal
various things,
including
laryngectomy
and
tracheotomy
scars –
provided
they’ve already
started to
heal.”
camouflage service in the British Red Cross.
Then in 1985 she helped to train private sector
as well as NHS camouflage practitioners – and
established a support association – the BASC.
With a country-wide network of NHS and private
sector professionals, BASC members help people
conceal birth marks, scar tissue, non-infectious
skin conditions and even tattoos. It isn’t a vanity
service; studies show that the psychological
impact on people with ‘skin abnormalities’ is
profound. They may routinely have to deal with
staring, inappropriate questioning and name
calling. In turn this can lead to feelings of
rejection and isolation. So BASC reinvests these
people with the confidence to enjoy their daily
lives.
And that’s uppermost in pharmacy technician
and cosmetic camouflage expert, Helen
Fletcher’s mind when she deals with her clients
at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. She is one
of BASC’s specialist practitioners and helps
patients with a variety of issues, including
scars, blemishes, burns and operation scars
– and that’s one of the things that engages
our interest. For some, full recovery from an
operation isn’t really final until the signs of
that operation are completely gone. And that’s
something that Helen can help with.
“I get to meet all sorts of people and see
how they cope. Our treatment is often one of
the final stages of their recovery and makes
a real difference as to how people feel about
themselves.”
Feeling better about how we look is certainly
a massive part of re-adjusting to life after
a laryngectomy and Helen knows just how
important that is in ensuring a good all-round
recovery. ?
Summer 2010 | THE VOICE
23