Ask Sam letter

Hello, I’m glad you chose to write to me.

Cancer and its treatment can change the way you look and feel about yourself but it’s important to remember that you’re still the same person that you have always been.

People at school don’t realise just what you’ve been through after having cancer since you were very young. Being diagnosed with cancer is probably the biggest thing that’s ever happened to you and I imagine it was a frightening experience for you and the people close to you.

Making jokes about someone’s appearance is very hurtful and a form of bullying. Bullying is never okay. You deserve to be treated with respect. Being asked the same question about your hat over and over also sounds like it could get a bit frustrating.

Talking to a teacher might help them to understand what it’s like for you at school and they could even talk to the other children to explain what’s happened. This could help them realise what this has been like for you so that you don’t have to keep on talking about it if you don’t want to.

The way we feel about ourselves can be closely linked to our appearance. If you look different you might feel less confident or more self-conscious and it doesn’t help that people at school are saying thoughtless things to you about the way that you look.

Taking care of yourself can really make a difference to how you feel. Spending time with good friends and doing things that you enjoy can help you to feel good about yourself.

The message boards are also a great place to talk to other people with similar experiences and the peer support is very positive. You could even start your own thread there.

Childline counsellors are here whenever you need them too.

Take care,
Sam