‘Chronicles of Narnia’ Star Georgie Henley Recalls How Rare Bacterial Infection ‘Wrought Havoc’ on Her Body

usmagazine.com:

 Sharing her story. Chronicles of Narnia star Georgie Henley opened up a serious health battle — and the resulting scars that she kept secret for years.“When I was eighteen years old and in my sixth year of university, I contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and punishing infection that nearly claimed my life and wrought havoc throughout my body,” the 27-year-old Perfect Sisters actress wrote via Twitter on Tuesday, October 25. “In order to prevent the amputation on my left hand and arm, I received grueling, invasive surgery, and later extensive reconstructive surgery which resulted in a series of skin grafts and scars.”The England native also shared a photo of herself with the scars on her right arm on full display.

She shared that for nearly a decade, she took measures to conceal the marks left by the infection.“For the last nine years, I have been open about my scars in my personal life but have hidden them entirely in any professional context: wearing bandages or coverings, makeup on set and stage, long sleeves whenever I might be photographed, trousers so I could put my hand in my pocket,” Henley recalled.The Spanish Princess alum explained that she was worried her scars would prevent her from getting acting work. “The truth is [that] there is no such thing as ‘perfection,’ but I have still lived with the shame of feeling different, exacerbated by the expectations that came with beginning my career at a young age.” She continued: “But my scars are not something to be ashamed of.

They are a map of the pain my body has endured, and most importantly, a reminder of my survival. They do not affect my capacity as an actor and I’m proud to be a person who has visible scars in this industry.”The Access All Areas actress