Scars are Forever:
Fighting for Your Life When You Don’t Even Know You’re Dead by
Joel
Mercado
About the Author
Joel was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx in New York City. He attended local public schools and was regularly moved into what used to be the IG (Intellectually Gifted) classes.
Joined the Marine Corps at 17, In the Marine Corps color guard for the 1996 World Series game 1. Studied Mechanical Engineering and Radio Electronics in college. Earned multi-process welding and Harley-Davidson Technician Vocational Certificates. Cooked, served, bartended and managed several restaurants and nightclubs. Worked at Harley-Davidson dealers for almost 10 years. I was the motorcycle technical contributor to several magazines. Survived my 2007 accident.
Designed and built a motorcycle from scratch with tons of help. Had that bike published in multiple magazines including Easyrider and the cover of Bikes and Beauties.
Imagine waking up one day disoriented and practically blind in a freezing room naked. You look under the blanket and can make out tubes carrying dark green, red, and yellow fluids in and out of your body. You’re paralyzed from the waist down, your right hand barely moves, your abdomen is wide open, you can see your insides, and you can’t scream or speak. Welcome to your first day awake after your 61-day coma.
Physical Scars
Here we’ll share the pictures and stories of all types of scars. I’ll go through my submissions or people I’ve come across and give you some images and the story of not just what happened, but how it affected them and how they’re doing as of the time of the posting. Should you have any questions feel free to contact me and I’ll answer to the best of my knowledge and with the permission of the individual. As always, if I get duped or find out there’s any ulterior motives that are damaging it will be removed. Please do not make submissions on behalf of others unless they are requesting assistance in submitting.
Mental Scars
Here we’re delving into some slightly more treacherous waters. The scars of the mind come in so many forms. A huge part of the challenge here is discerning honesty and not causing harm. Physical scars are usually much more cut and dry in their tale. The mental ones will require a bit more vetting, so please don’t take any offense if it doesn’t make it on to the page. Sometimes depending on what you’re sharing it may just boil down to a judgment call. As always, if I get duped or find out there’s any ulterior motives that are damaging it will be removed. Please do not make submissions on behalf of others unless they are requesting assistance in submitting.
Show Me Your Scars
and Tell Me Your Stories
Use the submissions page to share your story with us, pictures included. This page is now an art gallery. I welcome new artists as they arrive to share the beauty of their scars and the stories that accompany them.
Scars are forever.
There’s a period ending that sentence for a reason. Because it’s indisputable, you can see specialists, apply products, and have procedures done, but the scar will always be there. You’ll always know exactly where it is, even if the best cosmetic dermatologist can’t spot it. They do heal over time and, with enough time, are damn near invisible, but they’re still there. They remind you that you were damaged by something you came across in life. I like to remember that it’s also proof of survival.
Scars are both physical and mental. They can both cut incredibly deep. So here we’ll share both. I invite you to let me share my story, and I’d love to hear and share yours as well.
The Readers
What They Say