Tattoo story: Toothless tattoo, scars, memories and defining moments
How to train your Dragon takes on a whole new meaning
Thank you to Jamie for sharing his tattoo story.
The tattoo is the dragon named Toothless from 'How to train your dragon' film series and an appendicitis scar which leads into the lines of Toothless' repaired tail fin (in red).
Toothless loses his tail fin when he is shot down by Hiccup and the film is about the journey of Toothless and Hiccup’s friendship, the tail fin repair and the support they offer one another throughout.
This tattoo story is a personal one. Jamie had an appendicitis in year 9 (roughly 12/13 years old) which doctors initially missed, resulting in his appendix exploding.
From failed operations, bad infections and a couple of month long hospital stays, Jamie, was sent home with a bulge on his stomach where the scar was, in the hope it would die down but unfortunately, it didn’t. The bulge popped one evening and he woke up in a huge pool of blood, which resulted in another month-long stay in hospital with an open wound as it was too badly infected to stitch up!
One month later, it was sealed back up and naturally healed. A lot for a 12 year old to experience and take on board, along with the large amounts of school missed due to hospital stays.
While he was in hospital, the film is the one thing he remembers and the one thing which gave him hope, especially after the second operation when he was feeling really bad. Jamie says, the film is about the boy's freedom, friendship, offering support and it inspires you to go out and do stuff.
“The film stuck with me and always will” and it is why he has the tattoo on the scar.
The whole experience makes him grateful for every day of living and what he can do, so he'll always be thankful of that. He has definitely done more in his life due to the experience.
The film, much like life and Jamie's experience highlights how sometimes you just need a bit of support and help to regain your strength, to be able to tackle life at full capacity again.
Do you have a film which brings you back to a moment in time? are you grateful for opportunities each day? have you ever experienced a medical emergency, which has made you see the world in a different light?