Learning to love OUR BODIES

Three women share how they came to embrace the skin they're in

- GILLIAN HARVEY

'My scar is a symbol of survival'

Harriet Kelsall, 52, is founder of Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery and lives in Cambridge with her 18-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter.

I was born with a tiny leak in my heart valve, but never had any problems. Then, after my second child was born in 2009, I experienced a regularly racing heart.

As a busy mum, I put it down to stress and tried to ignore it. But in 2012 I suddenly collapsed. I was rushed to hospital, where I was told I'd need life-saving surgery.

Although the procedure was a success, I was left with a snaking red scar - I'll never forget when I finally came home after two and a half weeks, expecting my children to rush into my arms. My eldest, then seven, shrank back when he saw it.

I also suffered from survivor's guilt. Why had I been saved when not everyone with the same condition survived? And what about the workers in Peru, who mine the Fairtrade gold I use for my jewellery business? If they needed this procedure, it wouldn't be available to them.

Over the years, I came to terms with what happened and began to feel I was worthy of this second chance at life. I also designed a pendant to raise money for a charity called 'Chain of Hope', which helps children from developing and war-torn countries suffering from heart disease.

But the physical scar still made me self-insecure, and I became used to dressing in high-necked tops to cover it.

What happened next could be described as a eureka moment. It was 2015 and I caught sight of my scar in the mirror. Running my finger along its uneven surface, I marvelled at the operation that had kept me alive. I realised that while it might not be aesthetically pleasing, it was a souvenir of something incredible.