The experience of being a ‘scar model’ for the ScarWork courses

Report from the third Sharon Wheeler’s ScarWork course in Shanghai, China, with TIFAR, our brilliant hosting team. Written by: Shufen

Celebrating the successful conclusion of the 2026 Scar Volunteer Public Welfare Event! Thanks to all the volunteer scar models for your support and participation, which provided invaluable hands-on experience for China’s third batch of ScarWork therapists. Through professional manual therapy, the two international instructors awakened everyone’s awareness and care for imperfections.

Over the past three semesters spanning two years, I have witnessed the physical and emotional transformation of over a hundred volunteers…

“Lois” is a lovely and beautiful little girl whose scars from a car accident were quite significant. She attended her first event in June, and this time she became much more proactive and cheerful. Before leaving, Lois’ mother told me excitedly at the door: “The event not only faded her scars but also untied the knot in my daughter’s heart that had lasted for years.”

Coincidentally, among the teaching demonstration volunteers was a car accident survivor (who spent a full year in the hospital) who had suffered from various pains for years. When we first met, she looked tired and shy. During the instructor’s session, she barely looked at the video of her working hands being projected on the screen, yet her furrowed brows gradually relaxed… After two consecutive hands-on sessions, her eyes were smiling. She looked at me with hope and asked excitedly, “Can I sign up for all your future events?” I replied, “Of course you can.”

On-site, I saw many C-section scars—some shallow, some deep, some new, some old… When a soon-to-be therapist’s mother (aged 60) sat beside me as a C-section scar volunteer, she said calmly, “She has learned a valuable skill.” Her words were plain, but her inner pride was undeniable. After being certified as a therapist, her daughter quietly told me, “The first person I want to help with these manual techniques is my family.”

Instructor Jan said: “ScarWork isn’t magic; it simply brings lost and scattered tissues back home…”  

The healing significance of scar therapy goes far beyond the physical. Grateful to meet and witness it all!