The Mum with Over 800 Tattoos Struggling to Prepare for Christmas
Melissa Sloan, a 47-year-old mum from Wales, loves her body art. In fact, she loves it so much that she’s covered nearly every inch of her body with over 800 tattoos!
While her unique look might be a conversation starter, it’s also causing her some real-life problems – especially when it comes to preparing for Christmas.
Hiding in the Bushes and Avoiding the Supermarket
Melissa has previously spoken out about how she’s forced to “hide in the bushes” when taking her seven kids trick-or-treating on Halloween. But it’s not just Halloween that’s a challenge – even something as simple as buying a Christmas dinner can be a struggle. “I can’t just pop into my local supermarket and shop for my Christmas dinner,” she explains. “People will stare when I go to pick up the cranberry sauce and turkey for me and my family. I’m forced to hide away and hide the real me.”
Self-Expression vs. Social Stigma
Melissa’s tattoos are a form of self-expression, but they also come with a price. She’s constantly judged and stared at by strangers, who often can’t look beyond her ink-covered skin. “People should accept that my ink is a form of self-expression,” she says. “I’m still me – Melissa. I just display my creativity on my skin to share it with the world, instead of keeping it under wraps.”
A Record-Breaking Amount of Ink
Melissa’s passion for tattoos has led her to cover her face not once, not twice, but three times over. She’s now aiming to break the record for the most tattoos in the world. “I’d like to be a record holder, it’s just something different,” she says. “I’m trying to get into the Guinness book of records. I’ve got three layers on my face, I probably have the most tattoos in the world, and if not then at the rate I’m going on I probably will have in the end – I keep going over and over them.”
The Struggle is Real
As Christmas approaches, Melissa’s struggles to prepare for the holiday are very real. She’s not just fighting against social stigma, but also against the practical challenges that come with being a mum of seven. It’s hard enough to get everything ready for Christmas without having to deal with judgmental looks and whispers from strangers.
A Message of Acceptance
Melissa’s story is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves to be accepted, regardless of how they choose to express themselves. As we approach the festive season, let’s remember to be kind, understanding, and accepting of others – even if they look a little different from us.