I just wanted to briefly mentioned that I wear short sleeves on campus, with family, and around in the community and NOT ONCE have I gotten a rude or mean comment. I have had a few stares, but most people completely chill and carry on treating me just like anyone else. My scars are quite noticeable, so this may be partially due to the fact that there is no question about how I got them, but I have been very happy with this reaction. Having heard so many horror stories over the years of terrible, insensitive remarks and reactions, I wanted to let people know it doesn't have to be terrible.
I have received only one comment, and that was in class with my favorite professor who, with his reading glasses on the table, asked if I was ok - it looked to his bad eyes like I had a scratch on my arm. I flusterdly told him I was fine, and after class he apologized for it, having realized they were scars. It was so sweet of him to be concerned about me having a scratch, I can't help but view it as a touching-and-awkward moment instead of anything traumatic or upsetting.
So yeah, it's been wonderful. I get the relief of decent clothes in the hot days of summer, and the kindness and respect of those around me. It was hard the first week I started wearing short sleeves, but it's actually gotten to a point where I barely notice my arms and only think about it on-and-off throughout the day, far from the near-constant worry that it used to be.
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