The Glitter Scar Project

05/11/2025

Happy Mother’s Day to all my fellow mamas out there. Whether you are celebrated on this day or it’s just another day… know that you are amazing.

09/16/2024

~You are enough, just the way you are~

07/12/2024

Ladies this is the last day for PRESALE tickets to this awesome collaboration The Glitter Scar Project and Bare By Barrile is doing, come join me in this beautiful secluded wooded wonderland for some female empowerment and relaxation. If you’ve been thinking about doing your glitter scar photos and putting it off this is the perfect setting. And of course the glitter scar project is free so if you can’t afford the ticket right now please just message me I’ve got you 💜

Our Summer Banger is chance to bring our ​community together all in one space. Think of this as a ​time to kickback and connect with other women just ​like you.

05/12/2024

Happy Mothers Day to all my mama friends and family. Happy Mother’s Day to single mama with 1 kid, to the married mama with 5, to the grandmas/aunts/friends who step up to the mama role when needed, to the mamas to heavenly babies. You are all superwomen 💜💜💜

12/11/2023

Cheyanne's Story (Trigger warning SA) Cheyanne Kurzweg

"I’ve been sitting here going back, rereading this over and over, questioning if I share too much will someone judge me. Here’s my story, things went from cheerleading days and looking forward to defending our country to a s**t show in 2017. I used to be all about fun and excitement, but then everything changed, and it felt like nobody noticed the battles I was fighting.

I am fighting something inside of me that to this day sometimes still takes control. Wearing that Marine uniform turned from something I was proud of to a symbol of strength I didn't know I had. It wasn't easy, 15 weeks on Parris Island, it’s like a battle inside myself that made me tougher in ways I didn't expect.
In boot camp, I discovered this crazy kind of strength within me that I never knew existed. It wasn't just about push-ups and running. It was this inner resilience that kicked in when things got tough. Every challenge felt like a battle, not just against the obstacle but against my own doubts too. And let me tell you, bonding with my sisters over those struggles created connections that are hard to put into words. We laughed, we cried, we fought like sisters, but most importantly, we supported each other. Those moments of pushing through together made me realize I'm capable of a lot more than I thought. Boot camp wasn't just about becoming a Marine, it was discovering a new level of strength and camaraderie that's still with me today.

Joining the fleet and arriving in Okinawa at 19 was like entering a whole new universe. Picture me, 19 years old navigating the streets, soaking in the culture, and trying to figure out military life in this exotic land. It was a crazy mix of excitement and uncertainty. From learning the ropes of my military duties to exploring the vibrant streets of Okinawa, every day was an adventure. But what made it truly special were the connections I formed with the Marines around me who were just as lost and curious as I was. It wasn't just about duty; it was about discovering life in a place far from home, and those early days in Okinawa became a chapter in my life that's etched in memories, friendships, and a newfound sense of adaptability.

Leaving Okinawa for Camp Lejeune, North Carolina felt like a whirlwind of emotions. I was saying goodbye to the friends who became like family, packing up the experiences of vibrant Okinawan life, and gearing up for the next chapter back in the US. It was a bittersweet departure, leaving behind the tropical breeze and the cultural richness of Japan. Camp Lejeune welcomed me with a different kind of energy, the Southern charm, the change in scenery, and a new set of challenges. Adjusting to the pace of life back on the East Coast while reminiscing about Okinawa's adventures created a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. The journey from Okinawa to the Southern U.S. wasn't just a change of station, it was another rollercoaster ride in this unpredictable, uniquely military life.

2017 my happy military experience took a drastic turn for the worst. I met my attacker in 2017, I was never taught was a positive relationship should look and feel like. I was letting someone make me feel like less of a woman and more. I was assaulted, left in a hotel room over an hour from base with no car, embarrassed who the hell do I call? Good thing about Food Service Marines, when we say we have someone’s 6 (having someone’s back) WE MEAN IT! I had to battle this attack quietly with only the ones extremely close to me because I was embarrassed and away from home and stressed out in the Corps.

When things got really hard, finding out I was pregnant was a kind of lifeline. My son, born from all that pain, became not just a sign of life but my guiding light through some really dark times. His love gave me the guts to take my life back. Right in the middle of all this, the person who hurt me said, 'Get rid of it.' But I said no, choosing a different path filled with strength, bravery, and a promise to keep going.

As I'm sharing this story now, I want you to know I'm standing here today stronger than ever.

The fear that used to grab me is replaced by a strong feeling inside, and my son keeps pushing me forward. I've come to a point where I'm taking control and relearning how to love myself. The tough times from Military Sexual Trauma and dealing with PTSD used to mess with how I saw myself I lost my self confidence, respect just myself as a whole. But now, I'm working on bouncing back and embracing the person I've grown and will continue to grow into.
It's a journey of giving myself a break, shaking off the doubts and fears, and replacing them with some self-love and acceptance.
It's not all big victories, but small wins that add up. Slowly, when I look in the mirror, I'm starting to like the person I see more. My son's love helps, reminding me that I've got strength and value inside me. This path I'm on is proof that loving yourself isn't a one-time thing; it's a continuous ride. One that I'm taking with guts, grace, and a promise to hug the awesome woman I'm turning into.
This journey turned me into the storyteller of my own life, a Marine defending our country and also dealing with my own battles of healing and strength. It's tough because it seems like people don't notice the struggles veterans like me go through. Through these words, I'm sending out a message of hope, a story of getting through tough times. I hope it connects with you, showing that even after pain, there's a chance for peace and strength. Take time today to reach out to a Veteran, you could save a life."



***To see all the stories of these amazing women, or to tell your own story, visit The Glitter Scar Project

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving everyone from the Glitter Scar Project. I am so thankful for all the strong women in this project who trusted me to tell their stories. I am grateful and blessed. Enjoy the day ❤️

09/07/2023

Kate's Story:
On February 15th 2016, I was at Wegmans in the produce section when I received a call from my doctor. I
answered and the only words I could remember from the call were 3 simple words that changed my life
forever, “You have cancer”.
I left my cart full of items right in the middle of the produced section, walked out of the store, and drove
home in what seemed like slow motion. I walked in the house numb as I had to tell my husband that I
had cancer. My two year old daughter, Annabelle, was napping at the time. All I wanted to do was wake
her up and hold her and pray that I would wake up too. I kept thinking this had to be a dream.
I had seen my mother fight cancer twice before this and she had just been diagnosed again for the third
time a month before I received my own diagnosis phone call in January 2016. I had literally dropped to
my knees and bawled hearing that she would have to go through chemo and surgery yet again. My
mother was a true warrior. She seemed unwavered every time she had been diagnosed. Now, being in
these shoes myself, it was even more incredible to me that she took her diagnosis with such grace. It
was terrifying and unreal.
After receiving my phone call I went through a variety of scans, tests, and doctors appointments.
Appointments where they told me they would be cutting off both my breasts. Appointments where they
told me I would be poisoned with chemo for months and the chance of reoccurrence was very high. The
only appointment out of all these that brought me to tears was the appointment where they told me
that I would likely not be able to have children again. I was devastated that I would not be able to
complete our family. We attempted IVF quickly after my double mastectomy before I had to begin
chemo, but it failed and I didn’t have time to try another round before starting chemotherapy. All I could
do was pray that I would be okay.
I went through my treatments and prayed that the medication wouldn’t make me infertile. I went
through mouth sores, weight loss, complete hair loss, nausea, fatigue like I have never felt in my life,
aches, pains, neuropathy, and so much more. I learned that my cancer was genetic, which would give it
an even greater chance of reoccurrence. It also meant that my daughter has a 50/50 chance to having
the gene and getting cancer when she is older.
Through my treatment, my mother, who was fighting cancer herself, was with me every step of the way.
She guided me through and gave me strength. She helped me care for my daughter when my husband
had to work and gave me pep talks when I didn’t think I could carry on. My husband was not deterred by
my lack of hair or breasts. He was always by my side and made sure that my confidence in myself did not
waver. I am so happy that my daughter was only 2 at the time of my diagnosis. She does not remember
all of the terrible thing I went through.
After surgery and chemo I was declared no evidence of disease. It is a common misconception that after
all the cancer is out of your body that you are cured. You are never cured. I still have scans and
bloodwork to be sure that the cancer does not return. I had a radical hysterectomy to be sure that my
cancer did not return in my reproductive system but only after having my second daughter. I refused to
give up hope or on my dream of having a second baby. After 3 years, we conceived our daughter, Grace,
naturally. She is a true miracle.
My cancer gene and type means that my cancer can return at any time. It is a constant black cloud over
my head that I can never shake. Every little ache and pain is a fear that the cancer has returned. These

fears are intensified by smells, sounds, and sights from my cancer journey: the smell of rubbing alcohol,
the smell of the rug at my oncologist office, the sight of a woman in a chemo scarf. It sends me into a
spin of tears and shaking. Taking me right back to the hell I went through. The emotional and physical
hell. But the worst part of my journey, the hell I walk through every single day is knowing that the
disease that did this to me, ultimately took my best friend from me. My mother passed away from
cancer on February 12th , 2022. After fighting for the 7th time, her body could not fight any more. She took
her diagnosis with grace like a stoic warrior. She is truly my hero in every single way. She never
complained, never questioned why her, never wished it upon anyone else, never gave up. She was
always positive and strived to instill that positivity into others she touched like her family, friends,
coworkers, and other cancer patients. My mom wanted to help to uplift and give hope to those fighting.
I continue that mission now with my nonprofit, The Nancy Beicke Project, named after my late mother. I
make care packages for cancer patients in the WNY area to bring them a little bit of joy in their time of
extreme hardship. I hope that these packages make them feel less alone and lift them up, just as my
mom would do for the patients she came in contact with. It is my privilege to carry on her spirit through
this project.

Kate Backlas

07/13/2023

05/10/2023

Amanda Ocasio's Story:

“You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.”--John Mark Green

When I first heard about The Glitter Scar Project, it wasn’t so much a question of IF I was going to participate, as it was a question of WHICH of my many surgical scars I wanted to focus on. When I was a few months old, I had surgery on both eyes to attempt to correct Strabismus. When I was four years old, I had a chest wall lipoma removed. Between age 6 and age 32, I had a total of 5 surgeries split between two different VP shunts which were used to treat Hydrocephalus. At age 32, I had an endoscopic third ventriculostomy to replace the second shunt when it failed. A year later, I ended up having a total thyroidectomy to remove what ended up being a thankfully benign, multinodular goiter. Two years after that, I had shoulder surgery to repair a labral tear, and went through almost a year’s worth of rehab. I’ve also had a total of 5 laser peripheral iridotomies.

In the end, I decided to focus on the scar from the lipoma removal, and the scar I was left with on my abdomen, from each time they had to enter through my abdomen to repair a shunt. I’ve always been the most self-conscious about those two scars.

I decided to wait till after my photo shoot to write this, because I wanted to be able to reflect on the experience as a whole. When I was changing for bed the evening of my photo shoot, I found myself looking at my reflection in the mirror. I left the glitter on both scars after the shoot was done. Seeing the scars glistening the way they were reminded me of how I’ve managed to shine through difficult situations. I looked at the scar on my chest, and I remembered how after that procedure, the doctor’s had told my mother that I needed to take it easy. That didn’t stop me from asking if I could go roller skating the minute we got home from the hospital! I looked at the scar on my abdomen, and I remembered how much school I missed each time my shunt failed and I ended up in the hospital. It had gotten so bad that there had once been a note on my report card, saying I needed to improve my attendance. My mother worked with me to make sure I proved my doctors and my teachers wrong, and that’s why I say my Masters degrees are just as much hers as they are mine.

I now realize that my scars are nothing to be ashamed of. They are daily reminders I can persevere through anything.

Owning my scars was only half the reason I wanted to participate in The Glitter Scar Project. For me, as a survivor of domestic violence, this was also about taking control and owning my body–putting it on display in and on my own terms. The universe has granted me so many bonus lives, and this was such a beautiful way for me to celebrate them.

04/25/2023

One of our beautiful ladies is continuing her story. She’s pregnant with her 2nd baby and it’s a BOY. I’m so grateful she asked me to be a part of her beautiful announcement!! Congratulations 💙💙💙🦋🦋 see her full story here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122615730552082&type=3&mibextid=q5o4bk

04/12/2023

Thank you to our amazing Jenny for sharing this quote 💜 see her full story and pictures here! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122572710556384&type=3&mibextid=ncKXMA