Story from Jam Press (Burns Survivor)

‘I have burn scars on 90% of my body – my love life is non-existent'

With pictures and video

Byline: Laura Mills

A man who suffered burns to 90% of his body in a tragic childhood accident has shared how his appearance affects his love life.

Kenny Matthews was just three years old when his apartment went up in flames in 1991, tragically claiming the life of his grandfather.

The toddler was left with lifelong scars and has undergone multiple operations over the years, including skin grafting and plastic surgery.

Now 36, Kenny, who has 2.4 million followers @‌ikendawg, shares his story on social media to promote body positivity and encourages others to embrace their physical differences.

But while he has been able to accept his changed looks, he reveals that the scars have had a knock-on effect on his dating life.

“People don't really care about personality anymore – they just want somebody to look good or attractive physically, and honestly I don't fit that description,” Kenny, from California, US, told NeedToKnow.co.uk

“Have potential suitors ever commented on my looks? Yes, a bunch of times.

“If I try to talk to somebody that I might be interested in, they'll say ‘it's hard to feel attracted to you, because of your burns and scars’.

“I’ve also had people say ‘you're not my type because of your burns/scars’.”

While Kenny “isn’t looking for love”, he “believes in loyalty” and “being himself”.

He said: “Once you know how to take care of yourself by yourself, having company becomes an option, not like a necessity.

“I do think I’d feel differently about this if it wasn’t for my scars.

“I had a guy [once] tell me something [like] ‘it is hard to feel attracted to someone like you because of your scars and burns’.

“I understand it's not their fault, but I'm smart enough to know not every person is the same.

“I think my burns and scars affected my confidence in a way, because if I wasn't like this, I would physically be stronger and it inhibits me from protecting myself and fighting back.

“Sometimes [they are] a way to make me look invincible and sometimes make me look bad.

“What I do know is that all that matters the most is that I am a great human being on the inside.

“Nothing else matters to me.”

Despite being just a toddler at the time of the accident, Kenny can recall memories from that fateful day.

He said: “I was playing with my toys and watching TV on the floor in the living room while my grandfather was sleeping on the living room couch.

“All of a sudden, I hear this commotion from the window and that's when the window burst in flames.

“I have no idea what caused the window to burst like that, but all I remember was the apartment filling up with gas and smoke from the fire.

“All I could do was just to panic.

“My grandfather woke up coughing due to smoke inhalation.

“He tried save my life but he couldn't really do much because he was weak […].

“Picking me up under my arms, he carried me over the window – unfortunately, that's how I got burnt by the fire.”

Kenny was rushed to hospital by ambulance after this incident.

He has undergone countless surgeries in the past four decades, which he describes as a “very painful journey”.

He has now finished his treatment.

Despite the horrifying ordeal, Kenny bravely takes to social media to share his story and says it has helped him regain his confidence.

He said: “It's an amazing feeling, because I get to show a good side of myself and a better version of myself to encourage others to be competitive with nobody but themselves only.

“People always ask me how I remain positive and I tell them positivity is contagious.

“If you hang around people all the time who are positive and good for your heart, your mind and your soul, then chances are you are going to be positive.

“I created my TikTok because people look at me as a walking testimony and a superhero, so I think with social media itself it’s a good way to put myself out there.”

For anyone else struggling with their appearance, Kenny added: “Don't worry about being liked because not everybody is going to like you.

“I also think respect goes a long way.

“Don't always put in so much time on your looks – put time in to work on your personality and your mentality.

“Practice gratitude every day when you wake up in the morning because you have to remember [that] not everybody has what you have.”

ENDS